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 also offers a variety of advanced elective classes which are available to students in Levels 4, 5, and 6. For example, Oral Communication is designed for students who wish to concentrate on improving their speaking and listening in English, and TOEFL Preparation is available to students who wish to focus on improving their TOEFL scores.
Friday Afternoon Seminars
ELI Friday Afternoon Seminars are offered on most Friday afternoons during each IEP session. These seminars, which meet for 1.5-2 hours, are optional and free of charge to students enrolled in the IEP. A schedule of the seminars available each session is available at the beginning of the session, and students who wish to attend a particular seminar must sign up in the ELI office by 3:00 pm on the Thursday before the seminar. Seminars must have a minimum of 10 participants in order to make, and students will be notified by email each Thursday afternoon as to which seminars have made and which have been cancelled for that particular Friday.
Culturally Speaking
Culturally Speaking is a conversation class in which ELI students meet with US 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.
Schedule
Core classes are offered in the morning and in the afternoon. Depending on course availability, students can choose to have all morning or all afternoon classes, or a mix of both.
