English + Business Program (EBP)

English and Business Development Program - January 2011


The English + Business Program (EBP) is offered twice each year by The University of Alabama (UA) English Language Institute (ELI) in cooperation with the UA College of Commerce & Business Administration (C&BA).

This three-week program is offered each January and July for non-native speakers of English who wish to improve their English-language skills as well as learn about business concepts and practices in the United States.

Key features of the English + Business Program include the following:

  • Provides training in English and business for non-native speakers of English
  • Takes place semi-annually for three weeks each January and July
  • Includes 47 hours of English instruction and 15-20 hours of business lectures
  • Includes two visits to local corporations

Program of Study

Intensive English (47 hours of instruction): Participants are integrated into the ELI’s Intensive English Program, each student at his/her appropriate level of instruction in Levels 1-6.
Each student’s proficiency in English and appropriate ELI level of instruction will be determined by means of the ELI Placement Exam, which is administered at the beginning of the program.  English instruction takes place during each weekday morning.

Business Lectures/Workshops (15 – 20 hours of instruction):  The UA College of Commerce & Business Administration offers between six and eight business-related lectures.  Each lecture focuses on a different area of business study related to the following general topics:

  • Marketing
  • Management
  • Business concepts
  • Business ethics
  • Business communication
  • Business practices in the US
  • Computer applications
  • Trade between Alabama and the world

Lectures are scheduled in the afternoons two or three days per week and will be held in C&BA or other classrooms on the UA campus.  Each lecture is scheduled for approximately two hours, including time for questions and discussion.

Corporate Visits (2 visits): One of the corporate visits is typically to Mercedes-Benz US International, which is located in Tuscaloosa County. Other possible visits include, but are not limited to, local corporations in the following fields:

  • agriculture/aquiculture (e.g., catfish farming)
  • banking
  • electronics
  • food
  • hospitality
  • medical/health care
  • steel milling

Cultural Activities: A welcome reception for the participants is held at the beginning of the program in order to allow the students to meet and socialize with the English teachers, the business lecturers, and other program staff members. 

A closing ceremony, including a formal dinner, is held at a popular local restaurant.  At the closing, each participant receives a group photo, a certificate of participation, and a UA T-shirt.

Housing:  Program participants live in UA campus residence halls with roommates.  Depending on space availability, participants room either with each other or with other UA/ELI students.

Meals:  Participants may eat their meals in cafeterias located on the UA campus or in restaurants located within walking distance of the campus.

Access to Facilities and Events:  Participants will have full access to all facilities, resources, and events (academic, cultural, and sporting) at UA.

Program Dates

The dates for the English + Business Program in 2012 are as follows:

  • January 11–31 (arrive January 10, depart February 1)
  • July 9–27 (arrive July 8, depart July 28)

Program participants should plan to arrive at the Birmingham International Airport (BHM) in Birmingham, Alabama. ELI representatives will meet the students at the Birmingham airport at a selected time on arrival day and transport them to the UA campus in the city of Tuscaloosa, a one-hour drive from Birmingham.

Group transportation back to the Birmingham airport will be provided on the departure day.

Program Costs

The cost of the English + Business Program in 2012 is $2,625 per person.  The following items are included in this price:

  • Tuition and fees for English and business instruction
  • Corporate visits
  • Housing
  • Meals
  • Required textbooks and materials
  • Medical insurance
  • Welcome reception and farewell dinner
  • Airport transfers from and to Birmingham, Alabama on designated arrival and departure dates

A minimum of 10 students is required to conduct this program, while 30 is the maximum number of participants that can be accommodated in a single program.

Visa Information

Participants will receive I-20 documents from The University of Alabama and will use these documents to obtain student (F-1) visas to the United States by applying through the local US embassy or consulate in their respective country.

Application

Download a printable .pdf version of the program application.

For More Information

For more information, please contact Ann Ramos (ann.ramos@ua.edu) or Bill Wallace (bill.wallace@ua.edu) at the UA English Language Institute (205-348-7413).