Provideing instruction to prepare students to succeed in university study

Curriculum
The ELTI curriculum contains integrated skill instruction and practice, with seven full-time proficiency levels and one part-time level (for very advanced students also taking UNC Charlotte courses). While the purpose of all levels is to prepare students to succeed in university study, lower levels focus on English for adaptation to U.S. culture; upper levels strengthen academic English for those students who will enter a U.S. university. Advanced students receive instruction in TOEFL preparation, professional, and academic research skills, and public speaking skills.

 

All new students are tested to determine their listening, speaking, grammar, reading and writing skills in English. All ELTI students are evaluated twice each term--at midterm and at the end of each session. Placement for the following term depends on the final test scores, grades and teacher recommendations.

All students can receive certificates of completion when they finish their ELTLI program. Top students (with all A grades or perfect attendance) also receive certificates and rewards after the completion of each term.

All new students are given an orientation to the ELTI program and the University. In addition, many ELTI classes participate in exchanges with University classes, in which ELTI students meet University students and discuss various topics. Students may also participate in programs through the Office of International Programs, such as Host Families (a friendship program, not a live-in one), Conversation Partners, and the International Club.

 

ELTI students are encouraged to use the ELTI computer lab, the University Writing Center, the Learning Center and the Language Resource Center. The Writing Center offers individual tutoring to students who need assistance with their writing. The ELTI lab and the Learning Center provides help in taking graduate exams (GRE, GMAT, M.A.T.), individual learning stations to aid students in developing reading comprehension and grammar, academic tutoring in University content courses and TOEFL review. The Language Resource Center offers modern multimedia language support.

At all levels, students use the most current texts and materials. ELTI students attend classes 20 hours per week, Monday through Thursday (Fridays also, in summer), morning through early afternoon. Semesters average 14 weeks in length. The average length of study in ELTI is two to three terms. All ELTI classes are held in University classroom facilities. Qualified students in advanced levels, with the recommendation of the ELTI faculty, are allowed to take University courses for credit in addition to their English courses. Students who have completed one full term in the

ELTI may participate in this program.

ELTI students may apply to live on campus in a variety of residence halls. Both men and women may live on campus; however, no married housing is available. For those living on-campus, there are a variety of meal options available. On-campus housing is often difficult to obtain; students who apply for and receive such housing must pay rather large penalty payments if they fail to enroll or to inform the University housing office that they will not move into the residence hall they've been assigned. For students not living in the residence halls, numerous apartment complexes are located near the University on within short walking distances or on public bus routes. Furniture may be rented. The ELTI staff will help students with housing arrangements.