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Illinois State University's English Language Institute (ELI) provides the best of two worlds: a small-town setting and a study program that meets your educational needs. We are located in Normal, Illinois, close to Chicago, Peoria, St. Louis, and Springfield. Our Intensive English Program (IEP) focuses on practical learning and the special needs of adult language learners, including academic preparation. Eligible students may be granted conditional admission to the University. We follow a communicative approach to language learning - one that believes the most natural way to learn a language is to use it. Most of our students live in the university's campus housing, giving them a chance to interact with students of all backgrounds.

Intensive English Program

Every ELI student is automatically enrolled in the Intensive English Program. It includes at least 20 hours of class instruction a week. Integrated classes in Reading/Writing and Speaking/Listening focus on developing academic skills. All classes are taught in small groups of two to fifteen students. Typical class size is seven to ten students. Additional program components include:

Practical Grammar and Lexical Skills classes:

These classes take a more analytical approach to language learning. They focus on an adult's special learning needs by having students reflect on and analyze the language.

Academic Lecture classes:

This class gives students the opportunity to listen to lectures from a variety of subject areas. Guest speakers are faculty members from various Illinois State University departments. Students develop academic skills with the help of their ELI instructors.

Conversation Partners:

This program pairs each ELI student with an American student. Weekly meetings with Conversation Partners provide insights into American issues and help students practice spoken English.
 

Friendship Family Program:

In this optional program, ELI students visit local families and share special activities.

Admission

To apply for admission to the ELI, please send us the following information:

• Completed application form:
  • Click here to see it as a webpage
  • Click here to download it as a PDF
     
• 75.00 application fee

  Note: Please check the Calendar section of this page for information on upcoming deadlines.

• Proof of financial support

  You must send us a letter from your bank, your family's bank, or from your sponsor confirming that you have at least $10,000 (U.S. dollars) available for each term that you will study at the ELI.

• School transcripts  (optional)

Please send us transcripts from previous universities or secondary level schools you have attended.

* The Institute reserves the right to deny admission or continuing enrollment to any individual whose former record(s) and/ or observed conduct is not in keeping with the best interests of the Institute, its staff, or its students; and/or whose skills and academic interests could not be best served by the Institute's program.

Visas

Click below to display an application form for the ELI. You can print this application form, fill it out, and send it to us.

Fees

*Based on 7 Day Unlimited Meal Plan

All prices are subject to change without notice.

All students who arrive late will be charged a $50 late fee.

Refund Policy:

Partial refund before the second week of classes. No refund of tuition after the second week of classes. For summer semester, no refund of tuition after the week of placement.

The Educational Fee includes textbooks, testing fees, recreation fees, and the health service/health insurance fee. This fee is higher for first semester students because it includes a one-time $100 OISP fee and a $5 student ID fee.

The Housing Fee pays for a double room in a campus dormitory. During the eight-week summer semester, this fee also includes meals throughout the week. Please refer to the Housing section of this page for more information on campus housing and the health service/health insurance fee.

Other miscellaneous expenses vary for each person. Usually, $100 per month is the minimal amount for such expenses. If you need to buy winter clothing, you should have additional expense money.
 
 

Calendar

Application deadlines

Deadline exceptions may be made for students from some countries or for students already in the United States.

Housing

We encourage all international students at Illinois State to live in our on-campus housing for one year.

This unique atmosphere brings students together from all over the world to exchange ideas, experiences and diverse cultures. Most foreign students room with Americans to ease the transition of living in a different culture. Social, educational and cultural programs provide learning opportunities in addition to classroom studies. Housing contracts will be mailed after you are admitted to the ELI. For more information about housing at ISU, click here.

Insurance and health service fees are required for all students on F and J visas.

The insurance and health service fees are included in the total ELI fee. Refer to the Fees section of this page for more information.
 

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For more information, please contact us at:

English Language Institute
Illinois State University
Campus Box 6123
Normal, Illinois 61790-6123
USA
Phone: (309) 438-2072
Fax: (309) 438-3031
E-mail: (eli@ilstu.edu )