The mission of the English Language Institute Instructional Division is to provide English language instruction to members of the University of Michigan community that promotes effective intercultural communication within the academic community at the University of Michigan.
The Instructional Division offers credit bearing courses and support services in English for Academic Purposes in order to teach undergraduate and graduate students the language they need to become fully participating members of the academic community. The Instructional Division educates both undergraduate and graduate students in pedagogical discourse and intercultural skills for teaching at the University of Michigan, in the community, and abroad.
The Instructional Division works in collaboration with other units throughout the university in support of the university's vision of an internationalized academic community.
- May 11, 2010
During the past 65 years, as perspectives on language learning and language teaching have changed significantly, the ELI's approach to teaching has been transformed. Having phased out its intensive course for non-university students in 1987, the ELI is now an independent unit offering credit-bearing courses within the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Today the ELI offers a variety of courses in English for Academic Purposes for nonnative speakers of English enrolled at, and visiting, the University of Michigan. The courses are designed to enable students to enhance their linguistic and communicative skills in order to become effective, fully participating, members of the academic community both during their time on campus and beyond.
Over 30 one-credit and two-credit courses comprise our curriculum in the fall and winter semesters, including advanced electives and discipline-specific courses. There are, on average, 500 students enrolled in our fall semester and 250 in our winter semester. Approximately 80% of our students are graduate students, with the remainder comprised of undergraduates and visiting scholars. ELI courses are taken concurrently with other courses.
In addition, the ELI features a number of special instructional programs. These include courses and workshops for graduate student instructors (GSIs) and three full-time summer intensive programs: English for Academic Purposes, English for Business Studies, and English for Legal Studies. Other special services include an ESL Speaking Clinic, ESL Writing Clinics, and ELI Conversation Circles Program.
The ELI also offers ESL teacher education courses.
Finally, ELI faculty members also teach courses in the Department of Linguistics, the Department of Psychology, and the School of Education, as well as serving as chairs and members of dissertation committees across the University.
Another important area of activity that ELI faculty and staff engage in is international outreach. We have provided consultancy services, guest faculty teaching, guest lectures, conference presentations and workshops around the world. In addition, we often host international visitors who are here for brief stays. We also bring international scholars to the ELI for longer periods of time, not only, but especially as Morley Scholars and Spaan Fellows.
