ABSTRACT
Chapter 1 provides some US national and global context for intensive English programs. The history of IEPs in the United States is reviewed, as well as their role in international education in US universities and internationally. In addition, the economic contributions that IEPs make outside their institutions is discussed, as well as the challenges they face as international political relationships change. The chapter also provides some context for the role of IEPs in academic research into second language acquisition and teaching.
