Program

The ELI offers:

• Low student-teacher ratio (Average 10:1)
• 6 Levels of classes- Foundations, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5
• Five terms per year – Fall (two 8-week modules), Spring (two 8-week modules), Summer (one 8-week module)
• Full or part-time studies
• Course offerings – Grammar, Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking
• Committed, experienced faculty
• Conditional admission to YSU’s undergraduate and graduate programs for students who meet University academic requirements
• No TOEFL or IELTS required for University admission upon successful completion of the program
• To be admitted to the University, ELI students are required to complete Level 5
• Once enrolled in the ELI, students cannot gain admission to Youngstown State University by submitting TOEFL or IELTS score
• For information about admission to YSU's bachelor's degree programs, visit the International Undergraduate Admission webpage
• For information about admission to YSU's master's and doctoral degree programs, visit the International Graduate Admission webpage

Course Descriptions

Foundations: This level is designed for students who demonstrate very limited English proficiency.

Level 1: This level is designed for students who already have a fundamental knowledge of English either by studying it throughout high school, at a university, or by enrollment in a private English program in their home country. They are able to speak and respond to simple questions in English and are able to communicate on a basic level. They are able to understand the very basic rules of English grammar. They can read aloud and demonstrate comprehension of short selections in English. They have the ability to write short grammatically correct sentences with minimal spelling errors.

Level 2: This level is designed for students who can comprehend and speak on a more complex level. They have a solid basis in the fundamentals of English language. They are able to demonstrate proficiency with more complex grammar, longer and more intricate readings, and are able to communicate their ideas in written paragraph form.

Level 3: This level is designed for students who demonstrate more advanced listening and speaking comprehension. They are able to read a variety of materials involving more complex vocabulary and grammatical forms. They are able to produce short essays that demonstrate critical thinking skills and an understanding of more complex topics.

Level 4: This level is designed for students who demonstrate a higher level of English proficiency. They are able to comprehend texts, discuss and appropriately use more complex grammatical forms and syntax, and engage in note-taking based on college-level lecture materials. Their writing skills advance to longer essays and short research papers.

Level 5: This level is designed for students who demonstrate an advanced level of English proficiency. They are able to understand and analyze a wide range of longer and more complex texts and use language effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes. They are able to produce longer, well-structured research papers on various academic topics.

* Class schedule and availability of courses may vary