English For Business Studies

The application deadline for the 2012 Summer Programs is May 11, 2012.

Click here to apply to a program.

The dates of the 2012 ELI Summer Programs are: 
June 25 - August 10, 2012

Summer Programs:

English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

English for Business Studies (EBS)

English for Legal Studies (ELS)

A deposit of $500.00 must be received before your application can be processed.  

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Program Description - English for Business Studies

The English for Business Studies (EBS) program is an intensive seven week English for Specific Purposes program for students who have been accepted to a competitive MBA program in the U.S. for the fall term. Students are expected to have a minimum score of 600 on the paper-based TOEFL or 100 on the Internet-based TOEFL in order to be considered for admission to the program.

The primary focus of EBS is on developing the academic language skills necessary for success in a rigorous MBA program. The program challenges students with courses and projects designed to reflect current MBA program practices. Students work both individually and in teams on a variety of projects and receive personal feedback on their progress. In addition, students have extensive opportunities to become accustomed to a U.S. academic environment, the goal of which is to ease the transition into a full-time MBA program.

The curriculum of English for Business Studies (EBS) focuses on the English communication needs of international students entering an MBA program. Students improve their skills through case studies and a group project, both of which require a high degree of preparation, participation and collaboration. Classes are scheduled for at least 20 hours per week, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., with some evening sessions. Students are expected to attend all class meetings and complete all regular individual and team homework assignments. In addition to the regular class time, students meet with their teams to complete projects and attend guest lectures on various business-related topics. Field trips to area businesses provide students with the opportunity to link course content to real business contexts.

The EBS program is committed to extending the students' use of English outside the classroom. A variety of activities such as receptions, field trips, and sporting events provide students with opportunities to use English in social and educational settings. In addition, students in the EBS program are considered fully enrolled in the University of Michigan and have access to all libraries and computing centers on campus.

EBS Course Descriptions

Introduction to Case Studies

The primary goal of this course is to familiarize students with the case study method, a participatory approach to learning used in business schools throughout the United States. The method requires considerable preparation, and students are expected to make quality contributions in study groups and class discussions. During the course, students improve their ability to read, analyze, and lead case discussions; they also learn strategies and techniques for speaking and responding. Watching videos related to the cases, students also practice notetaking skills and expand their business vocabulary.

Business Writing

This course focuses on academic written communication essential to participation in an MBA program. Students learn the skills of summary writing, argumentation, and writing for a particular purpose and audience. They produce a collaborative report, write up case analyses, and work on e-mails, memos, resumes, and cover letters. Students receive group and individual feedback on their writing, and common grammar troublespots are reviewed.

Oral Communication and Presentation Skills

This course helps students develop the oral communication skills needed for academic and professional business contexts. Students learn to design, develop, and deliver oral presentations with accompanying visual support. They give a variety of individual and group presentations, which are videotaped; they also receive peer and instructor feedback. The course helps students improve their ability to speak clearly, accurately, and confidently. Students also meet in small groups to work on specific language and pronunciation problems.

Business Topics

The goal of this course is to help students operate more comfortably in the U.S. business school culture. The course introduces students to some of the academic disciplines that are typically part of an MBA curriculum, such as organizational behavior, finance, accounting, marketing, business economics, operations management, and corporate strategy. Students learn how to work effectively in teams, practice analyzing cases, and become familiar with experiential exercises such as role plays and simulations.

Students also acquire the terminology used in business schools, corporations, and business publications.

Team Project

A unique feature of the EBS program is a team project, which gives students an opportunity to learn to work collaboratively and, using their business backgrounds, put their English language skills to use. Team members conduct research, define a marketing problem, analyze it, make recommendations, and write and present a final marketing plan.