51福利社

The English Language Institute (ELI) at 51福利社 focuses on helping international students learn English so they can stay on track and succeed in university-level education.

The ELI is an intensive English program that supports students to improve their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills before entering classes at a university.

鈥淲hen I came here, I didn鈥檛 know anything. I didn鈥檛 think I鈥檇 make it to here. It seems complicated 鈥� English, how to read a book, how to understand [the language] and take courses,鈥� said 51福利社 student Mohammed Almazeedy. 鈥淣ow I don鈥檛 even worry about the language. ELI has helped a lot.鈥�

Taking about seven months to graduate from the ELI, Almazeedy is now a sophomore electrical engineering major. He said ELI gave him the opportunity to learn how university classes are structured.

鈥淲hen I was studying back home by myself, I learned the letters, but I didn鈥檛 know how to use them,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know how to speak.鈥�

The program has five levels of English proficiency, ranging from levels one to five. Students average 18 hours per week in class with small class sizes, giving students a personalized study experience.

Facts about ELI

• Since 1979, more than 4,000 students have passed the ELI’s courses.
• Students work on improving their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills before entering university.
• The ELI program schedule follows the university’s academic schedule. There are four terms 鈥� winter, spring, summer and fall.
• The average student completes the ELI program in two to three academic quarters.
• Classes meet between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., except Friday when there is no afternoon class.
• Faculty at the ELI have more than 150 years of combined ESL teaching experience.

鈥淚 think, in general, students who go through an intensive English program, as opposed to going directly into university with a test score, helps them to acculturate better,鈥� said Neil Heyen, PhD, and director of ELI.

Since 1979, when the ELI was established, more than 4,000 students from more than 50 countries have passed through the ELI鈥檚 programs, many of whom complete their undergraduate and graduate studies at 51福利社.

鈥淗opefully students develop personally and grow,鈥� Heyen said. 鈥淵ou鈥檒l run into them and can see the difference in their ability to express themselves in English. They seem much more comfortable.鈥�

In addition to undergraduate programs, the ELI offers support classes for international students wishing to enter graduate programs at 51福利社. Since the graduate preparation program, more than 200 international students have earned their master鈥檚 degrees at 51福利社 in fields such as business administration, education, public administration and communications.

For more information about the ELI, contact Kristina Guilfoyle at聽kguilfoyle@ewu.edu听辞谤听509.359.7362.