Host:
University of Houston - Downtown
Contact:
Gail Kellersberger, Director Tel: 713-221-8047 Fax: 713-221-8546 One Main Street Suite 417 South Houston, TX 77002 USA
Established:
1975 
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English Language InstituteDescriptionThe ELI offers a full Intensive English Program for students and professionals to improve language skills for university study or professional use. The program has seven levels of instruction, each lasting 6.5 weeks. New levels start six times a year. Graduates are ready for university study at all levels. Students are placed by scores on a placement test. Students study grammar, conversation, listening and speaking, reading, and writing. A short course in TOEFL preparation is offered for an extra fee. Free afternoon classes are offered weekly in pronunciation and conversation. There are parties, fieldtrips and afternoon activities every semester. ELI students have daily access to laboratories and university facilities.
LocationThe University of Houston-Downtown is located on a small waterway in the middle of the Houston downtown business district overlooking skyscrapers. Everything from food to shopping and entertainment is nearby and affordable. The climate is semi-tropical: winters do not have snow and summers can be very warm. Houston has a full range of entertainment options. It is also a cosmopolitan city with many ethnic centers, restaurants, food stores, and entertainments.
Teaching QualificationsMost ELI instructors have Masters degrees in Teaching English as a Second Language or in closely related fields. Experience abroad and in the U.S. in a post-secondary assignment is also a requirement. Studying other languages and living in other cultures prepares ELI instructors to help students adjust and achieve their goals.
Course InformationGeneral English: Yes
English for Academic Purposes (EAP): Yes
English for Business: Yes
Other Programs:The ELI's Business English Program is designed for business professionals who want to increase their skills in the idiomatic language of business, business writing, and cross-cultural communication. Basic English classes are augmented with Business English classes and business English laboratory software for practice. Graduates of the program are enthusiastic! The ELI's afternoon TOEFL Preparation class, $199.00 including text, offers 18 hours of test preparation, helping students understand what is expected on the computer or written TOEFL test. Plenty of practice is offered along with a pre- and post- TOEFL test
Private Classes: Yes
Customised Groups: Yes
Maximum Class Size: 19
Average Class Size: 11
Levels:
Beginner Levels: 2
Intermediate Levels: 3
Advanced Levels: 2
Students are tested upon entry and placed in the appropriate level of instruction. The possibility of promotion occurs every 6.5 weeks.
Minimum Hours Required Per Week: 20
Maximum Hours Per Week: 24
Part Time Available: No
Session Length:
6.5 weeks;January,March,May,July,September,October
Student Origins and Enrollments
Student Origins:
Africa: 2%
Asia: 42%
Europe: 3%
Latin America: 38%
Middle East: 15%
Average Enrollments:
February: 104
July: 114
October: 116
FacilitiesThe ELI is in the University of Houston-Downtown high rise, in downtown Houston's business district near a small waterway. Students have access to university facilities (library, cafeteria, bookstore, health center with student insurance, gymnasium, lounge, and so on) as well as to computer and language laboratories. Nearby is great entertainment!
FeesFees based on a session length of 4 weeks. Fees may have changed since this information was published — check for latest information. Included means that this service is provided at no extra charge.
Optional Fees:
Homestay placement fee: $200.00 Airport pickup: $75.00
Notes on Fees:
The lower fee is for intensive English; the higher fee is for Business English, which offers 5 more hours of instruction per week. Although the fees above are manipulated to reflect four weeks, our actual fees are based upon 6.5-week terms
AccommodationsDormitory: $250
Homestay: $525
Apartment: $550
Hotel: $$60
All students who attend the University of Houston-Downtown live off-campus. The university has no housing applications, and students arrange for their own housing. We recommend a nearby private dormitory, a private homestay program, and apartment locators. Nearby hotels can be used for initial stays as can the YMCA. Student ServicesThe International Student Office helps students with all visa issues. The ELI offers orientations, city tours, fieldtrips, parties, afternoon city activities, intramural sports, jazz concerts, and student council activities. The ELI offers student counseling and a volunteer program. All university activities are available to ELI students including festivals, student clubs, arranged entertainment, and intramural sports. Educational Service OpportunitiesELI students who successfully complete the program may attend academic classes at UHD without a TOEFL score. A small competitive scholarship is made available to ELI students. Once in UHD academic classes, students may compete for many scholarships. ELI students receive certificates of attendance and certificates of graduation. ELI graduates receive 3 credit hours toward their degree at UHD. Students wishing to transfer to other schools are able to view material on schools at the UHD library and receive transfer help from the International Student Office. TransportationCity buses bring students to the university's front door. Houston's public transportation includes a new light rail system that delivers students to our door. Airport pickup services from a private company are available for new students (students make the arrangement, but we send the company's contact information.) Application InformationInternational students may contact the ELI by phone, letter, fax, e-mail, in person or by proxy to get an application and materials mailed to them. Although students apply to the International Student Office, their application will be expedited if they send it to the ELI. I-20s are issued to prospective students whose applications meet the eligibility requirements. We strongly recommend that students include a signed letter stating that they will pay for express mailing of their I-20 to avoid delays in receiving their documents. |
