Program Information

IMPORTANT: ADMISSION TO THE ELI DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ADMISSION TO SHSU. PLEASE READ STUDENT HANDBOOK FOR FULL INFORMATION ON THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTITUTE.

Overview

Academic Calendar

Spring II 2013: March 18 - May 10

Summer  2013: June 3 - August 16
Fall I 2013: August 26 - October 18
Fall II 2013: October 22 - December 13
Spring I 2014: January 13- March 7
Spring II 2014: March 17 - May 09

 

Upon arrival, each student is placed into one of six levels based on the results of the ACCUPLACER ESL exam administered by the SHSU Testing Center.

 

Level Basic - Beginning (almost no English, severely limited ability to communicate)

Level 1 - Upper Beginning (limited English, functional ability to communicate)

Level 2 - Intermediate (can communicate informally, limited English in academic settings)

Level 3 - Upper Intermediate (high fluency in informal settings, approaching academic fluency)

Level 4 - Advanced (fully fluent in informal settings, approaching mastery of academic English)

Level 5 - University Transition Level (Upper Advanced) (nearing mastery of academic English, almsot ready for university)

 

Students are expected to complete one level per session, but may repeat or skip levels in some cases.  If a student fails to achieve the learning objectives for a level, the course must be repeated the following session.

 

Note: Students may not register for classes after the 5th class day.

 

Core Curriculum

ELI students must maintain 20 classroom contact hours of core curriculum classes per week in their level. Core classes are:

 

• Listening & Speaking: Students develop oral communication abilities with a variety of media and activities.
• Reading & Writing: Students work on literacy skills to increase fluency while reading and writing texts.

• Grammar: Students study the structure of English and apply it using integrated tasks.

• Vocabulary: Students study the vocabulary of English and apply itusing integrated tasks.

  

Electives

Electives are optional, and students may enroll in none, one, or two electives, based on their preferences.  All electives are graded on a pass or fail basis, and attendance is required if you are enrolled in the course. Availability is subject to enrollment.

 

• TOEFL Preparation: Students will gain the skills, strategies and confidence they need to improve their performance on the TOEFL exam.
• IELTS Preparation: Students will gain the skills, strategies and confidence they need to improve their performance on the IELTS exam.
• GRE/GMAT Preparation: Students will gain the skills, strategies and confidence they need to improve their performance on the GRE/GMAT exams.

• Conversation Practice: Students will improve conversational skills through authentic experience and practical application of concepts learned in the core curriculum, including grammar, vocabulary, and idiomatic expression.

 

Class sizes

Enrollment is limited to eighteen students per class. If fewer than five students register for a particular core level, the ELI may choose to cancel classes for that level.

 

 

Assessment & Evaluation
To be successful, a language program must assess students’ achievement of learning objectives and evaluate staff, textbooks and services.  The ELI assesses students using:

• Grades based on attendance, participation, coursework and testing
• Student achievement of leveled learning outcomes

 

To evaluate the effectiveness of the staff, textbooks and overall program, the ELI uses:

• Annual performance appraisals for staff based on evaluation by the supervisor
• Classroom observations by supervisor and external curriculum consultants

Student evaluations of the program services, materials, activities and staff

 

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

Each semester, the Sam Houston State University Testing Center provides multiple chances to take the TOEFL iBT for use in university admissions .  For more information on the test or to register, visit http://www.ets.org/toefl.

ELI students may qualify to waive the TOEFL requirement for admission to SHSU Undergraduate Admissions.  See the following policy for more information: TOEFL Waiver.

Housing

Students have several options for where to stay during their time in Huntsville.  Dorm housing is available but sometimes can be difficult to secure.  Surrounding the university are a number of apartment complexes, including some that offer free transportation to and from the campus.  Also, some students find local friends to stay with, which decreases expenses significantly.  If you need help finding a place to live, please contact our office or visit http://www.shsu.edu/~hou_www/.

Advising

Our professional staff in the Office of International Programs provides free advising and assistance with immigration issues for all ELI students.

Insurance

Health insurance is required for all ELI students.  For more information, refer to the Health Center's website: Student Health Center Insurance Policy

Refund Policy

State Statutory Refund Schedule of Tuition and Fees
Fall and Spring Semesters

 

time	amount
Before the 1st class day	100%
1st class day through 5th class day	80%
6th class day through 10th class day	70%
11th class day through 15th class day	50%
16th class day through 20th class day	25%
Thereafter	No refund

 

State Statutory Refund Schedule of Tuition and Fees
Summer Session Refund Schedules

 

time	amount
Before the 1st class day	100%
1st class day through 3rd class day	80%
4th class day through 6th class day	50%
Thereafter	No refund

 

Note: Class days are University class days, not the number of days an individual class meets. Class days are to be counted from the first class meeting of on-campus daytime courses as indicated in the Academic Calendar.

To find out more about studying at English language programs in the United States, visit the website below :

http://www.educationusa.state.gov