Northern Michigan University's English Language Institute (ELI)

Northern Michigan University’s English Language Institute (NMU's ELI) offers academic English as a Second Language (ESL) courses to international students in order to prepare them for degree study at the university and/or future careers.

Students can take one or more 7.5-week Blocks (one-half semester) through the ELI program, which consists of six levels of English proficiency. Students may enter the ELI program at one of five times throughout the year: January, March, May, August, October.

ELI students enroll in three 90-minute classes daily, Monday - Thursday, in Reading & Writing, Listening & Speaking, and Grammar & Language Applications. Every Friday there is a 3-hour Team Teaching workshop for further practice. ELI students receive a minimum of 21 contact hours with ESL-certified instructors.

Other components that are included in the program at no additional cost are: Language Partners, Conversation Mentors, Accent Reduction/Speech Sessions, and Academic Tutoring Sessions.

We also have a unique 4-week ELI Summer English Program with Service Learning Project for local non-profit organizations. This program includes: daily ESL classes focused on business/organizational themes; local company visits; seminars with NMU faculty; field trips around the Upper Peninsula of Michigan; 3 nights in Chicago.