Program Design

Levels

The ELI offers the following six levels of intensive English study:

Level 1: low beginning
Level 2: high beginning
Level 3: low intermediate
Level 4: high intermediate
Level 5: low advanced
Level 6: high advanced

Students are placed into classes at the appropriate levels of study based on their results on the ELI Placement Exam, which is administered on the first day of each session.

Core Classes

Core classes, which meet for a total of 20 hours per week, are the foundation of the ELI program of study. "Required core classes" are offered each session at each level and consist of the following:

Reading/Writing	Levels 1-6	9 hours/week
Speaking/Listening	Levels 1-6	6 hours/week
Structure (grammar)	Levels 1-6	5 hours/week

A student may be placed into a different level for each required core class, depending on his or her ability in that area. For example, a student may have Reading/Writing 3, Speaking/Listening 4, and Structure 2. Students advance from level to level as a result of the grades they earn in each of their required core classes; students who excel may be eligible to skip a level.

The ELI currently offers two "elective core classes" which are currently available to students in Levels 4, 5, and 6:

Oral Communication I	Levels 4-6	9 hours/week
Oral Communication II	Levels 4-6	9 hours/week

These two elective core classes are for students who wish to concentrate on improving their speaking and listening in English. Oral Communication I and II are offered in alternating ELI sessions, and, depending on the time slot in which these classes are offered, students may choose to register for Oral Communication I or II instead of a required core class. However, completion of the required core classes is necessary to obtain an ELI certificate of proficiency or completion.

Denise Moreno from Venezuela

"Coming to the ELI was a great experience for me. Besides improving my proficiency in English, I had the chance to make friends from all around the world!"

Optional Classes

Optional Classes are available to students who wish to take advantage of additional classroom instruction on specific topics of interest. Approximately four optional classes are offered each session. Optional classes, which are offered on a rotational basis, typically include: TOEFL Preparation, Pronunciation, Business English, Life in the U.S.A., Humor in the U.S.A., Current Events, English through Music, English through Film, English through Drama, Computer Skills Workshop, Conversation, and Vocabulary.

Culturally Speaking class

Culturally Speaking is a conversation class in which ELI students meet with American students for informal conversation, primarily about cultural topics. The class, which meets for 2 hours per week, is required for new students and optional for returning students.

Student Activities

Each session, the ELI plans a variety of activities that allow students to visit areas in Alabama and in the southeastern United States, practice their English skills, and become better acquainted with their teachers and each other. Typical student activities include movies, concerts, shopping, recreational sports, and weekend trips to nearby locations--the beach, the mountains, and cities such as Atlanta, New Orleans, and Memphis.

Study Center

When not in class, ELI students may use the ELI Study Center, where they can check out books, listen to audio materials, and watch videos, including popular movies. In addition, students can receive individual instruction and assistance from qualified tutors in the ELI Study Center.

Language Resource Center

ELI students may also use the UA Language Resource Center. Here students work independently to improve specific areas of their English performance. The center is equipped with the latest computer technology and has a wide variety of materials for language study, including computerized study materials for standardized tests, such as the TOEFL and the GRE.

SAMPLE STUDENT SCHEDULE
	MONDAY	WEDNESDAY	FRIDAY		TUESDAY	THURSDAY
8:00				8:00	Pronunciation (optional class)	Pronunciation (optional class)
9:00	Reading/Writing (core class)	Reading/Writing (core class)	Reading/Writing (core class)	9:30	Reading/Writing (core class)	Reading/Writing (core class)
10:00	Reading/Writing (core class)	Reading/Writing (core class)	Reading/Writing (core class)
11:00	Speaking/Listening (core class)	Speaking/Listening (core class)	Speaking/Listening (core class)	11:00	Speaking/Listening (core class)	Speaking/Listening (core class)
12:00	lunch	lunch	lunch	12:15	lunch	lunch
1:00	Structure (core class)	Structure (core class)	Student Activity	1:00	Structure (core class)	Structure (core class)
2:00	Culturally Speaking	Culturally Speaking		2:30	TOEFL Prep (optional class)	TOEFL Prep (optional class)
3:00	FREE TIME: After classes each day, students have free time to visit the UA Recreation Center, participate in various campus activities, study independently in the ELI Study Center or UA Language Resource Center, or just spend time with friends.			3:30	Free time

Academic Advising

The ELI provides academic advising for its students who wish to pursue undergraduate or graduate degrees, whether at The University of Alabama or at another college or university. Academic advising includes information and assistance regarding how to select and apply to colleges and universities. A student who is interested in a degree program at the University of Alabama and who qualifies academically may be admitted directly to a degree program at UA upon successful completion of the higher level of ELI core courses.

Concurrent University Study

ELI students who are interested in taking undergraduate courses for credit at UA may qualify for concurrent enrollment (i.e., taking a combination of ELI and undergraduate courses at the same time) by obtaining a minimum TOEFL score of 133/450 and by maintaining a GPA of 3.0 in ELI courses.

It is also possible for ELI students in Levels 4-6 to gain valuable experience by attending undergraduate courses at UA for no credit while they are studying English. Permission to do this is given to students who are doing satisfactory work in their ELI classes.

The English Language Institute

The University of Alabama