Program Introduction
Highlights
What makes our program unique?
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ELI offers small and personal classes.
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Courses are taught by excellent, experienced faculty.
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The program is supported by a friendly, caring staff.
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We provide a state-of-the-art Language Laboratory.
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Students have access to Texas A&M libraries, recreational facilities, health facilities, and more.
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We offer American Conversation Partners to aid in the learning process.
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Our faculty advisors provide guidance to students.
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We offer five to six Cultural Activities per semester for students.
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We offer optional TOEFL preparation classes to students.
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Students provide feedback through the Student Advisory Council.
Requirements
Students enrolled full time in the program can expect 21 hours of classroom instruction each week, Monday through Friday. An additional hour per day in the Language Laboratory is usually required for class depending on student needs and instructor requirements.
Classes are held in the Bell Building and other buildings on the Texas A&M campus. ELI students have the full privileges of Evans Library, Open Access Computer labs, University Internet and e-mail systems, Memorial Student Center, Student Recreation Center, and the University Health Center.
The Language Laboratory, located in Bell 205, and Educational Media Services in the Evans Library Annex supplement class instruction. A full range of language development materials, including computer assisted instruction, are available to students for use in the lab and in EdMS. Students are strongly encouraged to use these materials each day to develop their language skills.
Success in learning English depends on a student's willingness to be immersed in English both in and out of class. The successful language student practices frequently and looks for opportunities to use English outside the classroom. Our courses are developmental and focus on the application of language skills to real life situations. Because of this emphasis, students should approach each course with the understanding that language progress is monitored frequently through class participation, laboratory work, tests, homework, and institute-wide evaluations. Information about English progress is given to students often so they may adjust their learning methods and study patterns to further improve their language skills.
Subject skill courses such as reading, vocabulary, grammar, composition, listening, and oral skills are taught separately in the basic, intermediate, and advanced levels. Skills used in each course overlap and create a high degree of course interdependence. As a result, students will find that the material they are studying in one class will frequently apply to another class.
Placement Testing
All ELI students who register for classes will be expected to take the English Language Proficiency Exam (ELPE). The ELPE test results are used to determine the level of ELI courses to be taken. It is a program requirement that an ELI-admitted student (F-1) take the full program of seven courses. Other students such as those with F-2 or J-2 visas or Permanent Residents may take fewer classes.
All ELI students take an entry and an exit ELPE for each semester of enrollment. The cost of the test is determined by Measurement and Research Services (MARS). For more information about the test and how to prepare for it, please visit TAMU's International Student Services Web site.