The
English language Institute (ELI)
The
English Language Institute (ELI) aims to teach English to new
students in order to help them succeed in their academic courses
and professional careers. The ELI program will prepare students
to speak, write, and understand English to achieve their goals
in education and business.
Who
needs ELI?
Students
whose Placement Test results show that they have weaknesses in
their speaking, listening, reading, and/or writing are required
to take ELI classes to help them overcome their difficulties.
What
if I know enough English?
The
following are exempt from ELI:
- Students
with a recent TOEFL score of 550.
- Students
with four years of high school (and a suitable GPA) in the
United States.
- Students
who pass the ELI Placement Test.
What
is the ELI Placement Test?
The
ELI Placement Test is a proficiency test that evaluates students'
performance in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. If you
have a level of fluency and accuracy that enables you to engage
in academic discourse, you should be able to pass the test and
start taking academic courses.
What
kind of courses do I have to take if I test into ELI?
If
the ELI Placement Test shows that you need ELI classes, you will
be required to take one or more levels depending on your score
on the Placement Test. The following is a description of the ELI
Levels; ELI 1 is a low-level course, and ELI 4 is the highest
level course.
ELI
1 AND 2
In
levels 1 and 2 at the ELI, instruction is aimed at helping students
improve fluency and accuracy in speaking, listening, reading,
and writing for informal and formal interaction. Students receive
instruction on basic grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and language
strategies required for receptive and expressive formal and informal
discourse. Speaking and listening skills are emphasized.
Level 1 is intended for beginning students who need practice and
experience developing basic English skills; Level 2 is intended
for students with low intermediate English skills. The ELI
also offers, when needed, a 'PRE-ELI' course (level 0) for students
who do not know the fundamentals of the English language.
ELI
3 and 4
In
levels 3 and 4 at the ELI, instruction is aimed a helping students
improve accuracy and proficiency in reading, writing, speaking,
and listening. As in levels 1 and 2, students receive instruction
on grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and language strategies
required for receptive and expressive academic discourse.
However, in levels 3 and 4, there is more focus on reading and
writing skills for academic and professional purposes. Level
3 is intended for students with intermediate English skills; level
4 is intended for high intermediate English skills.
Can
I take academic courses while taking ELI?
Students
in levels 1 & 2 are not allowed to take any academic courses.
Instead, they are given 8 hours of English every week to enable
them to move to ELI 3. Students in ELI 3 are allowed to take one
academic course; and students in ELI 4 can take up to 2 academic
courses.
How
do I exit ELI?
Students
who take the Placement Test after they complete any ELI level
and score high enough to exit ELI 4 are allowed to graduate from
ELI program.
