AIMSS is a program specifically designed for multilingual and multicultural students including international students at Penn State Abington. Our courses serve both domestic and international students who speak English as an additional language.
AIMSS course instructors accept speaking multiple languages as the norm. Instructors in the program have experience living in countries outside of the United States, speaking multiple languages, and/or working with multilingual students. Instructors and students regularly engage in readings, discussions, and assignments that tap into their multilingual and multicultural identities. Course topics have included naming culture, language variation, and intercultural communication.
Rather than providing traditional English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, AIMSS courses provide embedded language and culture support within credit-bearing general education courses to ensure multilingual students feel comfortable communicating in a university environment.
We offer AIMSS sections of general education requirements such as ENGL 15 and CAS 100A and ENGL 83S, a course that is unique to our program. See our course offerings.
Not sure how to identify an AIMSS section? Look for section numbers (not course numbers!) in the 400s like the ones circled below:
Student Testimonials
Why choose AIMSS? We could give you a whole list of reasons why AIMSS courses are beneficial, but you might like to hear from your fellow students instead. Here are some comments from former students about AIMSS courses:
Participating in the AIMSS program at Penn State Abington has helped me grow significantly both academically and socially. ENGL 83S was the most helpful course I took during my first semester, and it was also my first English class at Penn State Abington. It gave me the opportunity to meet new friends from different countries, participate in a variety of campus activities, and get familiar with every corner of the campus in a relaxed and supportive environment. The course content and classroom atmosphere also made me feel more confident in using English in the class even after the class. The AIMSS program provides a very good start for international students or any multilingual backgrounds students. It not only improves my academic abilities, but more importantly, helps me integrate into campus life faster and build a sense of belonging.
Taking the AIMSS courses at Penn State Abington has profoundly shaped my academic journey. As an international student from a country with limited English exposure, ENGL 83S and ENGL 15 boosted my confidence in both writing and public speaking. At first, I found it difficult to express my thoughts, but the supportive environment, assignments, and classroom discussions helped me speak more boldly and write more clearly. These courses helped me adapt to the American education system after studying in Africa.
ENGL 83S connected me with professors, classmates, and helpful campus resources like the library, Global Programs, and tutoring services. Reflecting on these experiences throughout the semester strengthened my academic and social skills. In ENGL 15, I learned to stay open-minded during the writing process and explore new ideas thoughtfully. AIMSS gave me the tools to grow academically and professionally while embracing my identity and voice.
Being part of English 83S and English 15 through the AIMSS program has been an enriching experience both academically and professionally. English 83S, a diverse first-year seminar, helped me engage with classmates from ten different countries, allowing me to appreciate various perspectives. The assignments, particularly the podcast project, allowed me to use Launchbox for the first time and made me feel professional in producing high-quality work. In contrast, English 15, with its focus on composition and rhetorical writing, was more challenging. Working in groups on essays taught me how to collaborate effectively, incorporating diverse ideas into our work. While group work sometimes posed difficulties, I learned the importance of teamwork and how it can shape my approach to both academic and professional settings. These courses improved my writing and public speaking while strengthening my interpersonal skills, making me more confident in engaging with others from different backgrounds.