Written by Colin McEvoy | September 18, 2025 | SHARE
On this day in 1981, Lehigh University announced its first ESL center, planting the seeds for what is now the International Center for Academic and Professional English (ICAPE)
On this day in 1981, Lehigh University announced its first center dedicated to teaching English as a second language, the foundation of what is now the International Center for Academic and Professional English (ICAPE)!
In the September 18, 1981 edition of The Brown and White, a modest advertisement introduced a new Language Center at Coppee Hall, offering intermediate and advanced English instruction.
Now entering its 45th year, that center has evolved into ICAPE, which helps multilingual speakers of English improve their communication skills.
More than just ESL classes, the center’s dedicated team of professional instructors offers non-credit and credit courses, tutoring, testing services, and more to help multilingual speakers of English improve their writing and communication skills as well as their academic and social integration.
“ICAPE empowers multilingual speakers of English to share their voices with confidence,” said Mark Ouellette, Director of ICAPE. “We are proud to carry forward a tradition of excellence in language teaching that began at Lehigh 45 years ago.”
Visit the ICAPE website to learn more.