Courses & Descriptions

Intensive & Academic English (in-person)

UMBC has its own English Language Institute (ELI) that offers the Intensive English Program (IEP) to students who would like to improve their English language skills for personal and academic purposes. This program has seven levels: From Level INTRO to Level 6. In the Intensive English Program (IEP), students gain skills in speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.

UMBC English Language Institute (ELI) offers the Intensive and Academic English Program (IEP/AEP) to students who would like to improve their English language skills for personal and academic purposes. This program has seven levels: From Level INTRO to Level 6. In the Intensive English Program (IEP), students gain skills in speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. For the detailed course description, please go to https://eli.umbc.edu/iep.php.

Conditional Admission for International students. If you meet the academic requirements for admission to UMBC but do not have the required TOEFL or IELTS score, you may apply to the ELI-Undergraduate Bridge Program. You will study at the ELI until you pass Level 5 (advanced). Then, you may begin your bachelor’s degree program at UMBC. No TOEFL or IELTS score is required!

Skill-Focused (online short-term)

This course is designed to help low advance English learners master spoken fluency and listening comprehension as appropriate to an academic environment. Students will improve their skills in taking well-organized lecture notes, comprehending a variety of listening texts, giving presentations for different purposes, and discussing familiar and unfamiliar topics in formal and informal situations. The course includes practice in real UMBC academic settings. This course partially fulfills UMBC’s conditional admission requirements.

This course is designed to prepare advanced students to write in English with university-level competence and accuracy. Students further develop their skills in the writing process, academic vocabulary, advanced grammatical structures, presentation and analysis of research topics, and narrative and persuasive writing. Students learn to write for specific audiences and purposes on a wide range of academic and non-academic topics. This course partially fulfills UMBC’s conditional admission requirements. Successful completion of the objectives for this course will qualify students for ENGL 110.

The Global Conversation Skills (with a UMBC ELI Instructor) is an instructor-led course and gives you a place where you can improve your speaking skills through conversation with people from around the world. For non-English speakers, it is a special place to practice your English once a week and learn practical “real life” English through fun topics and activities. COURSE FEE (Once a week): $180 per session (8 classes)

The Global Conversation Skills (with a UMBC ELI Instructor) is an instructor-led course and gives you a place where you can improve your speaking skills through conversation with people from around the world. For non-English speakers, it is a special place to practice your English twice a week and learn practical “real life” English through fun topics and activities. COURSE FEE (Once a week): $250 per session (16 classes)

This course is a FREE and casual version of the Global Conversation Skills Course. The Global Conversation Café gives you a chance to speak with people from around the world who love cultural exchange and meet new friends. Speaking in a group setting requires a set of special skills different from a one-on-one situation. For non-English speakers, it is also a special place for practicing learning practical English through fun topics and activities. Seats are limited. When we receive a larger number of applications, we will randomly choose participants.

If you are interested, please send your full name and email address to eli@umbc.edu to receive a link to join.

Test Preparation (online or in-person)

This 7-week course is designed for intermediate- and advanced-level English learners who plan to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. As part of this course, students will work on reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Course instruction focuses on the specific elements that are tested by the IELTS. Students also learn test-taking strategies and practice the language and academic skills the IELTS test requires. Through consistent work, practice, and completion of assignments, students increase their chance of achieving a desirable IELTS score and improve their preparation for university study.

This 7-week course is designed for intermediate- and advanced-level English learners who plan to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test. As part of this course, students will work on reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Course instruction focuses on the specific elements that are tested by the TOEFL. Students also learn test-taking strategies and practice the language and academic skills the TOEFL test requires. Through consistent work, practice, and completion of assignments, students increase their chance of achieving a desirable TOEFL score and improve their preparation for university study.

English for Specific Fields (online)

This course is designed to provide intermediate and advanced students in Emergency Health Services and Medical related majors opportunities to discuss common medical terminology and to develop reading skills in analyzing and interpreting medical reports. Students increase their medical vocabulary knowledge and reading fluency to assist them in communicating familiar medical topics with patients and other medical professionals.

Learn to Teach English (Certificate course)

This intensive 15-week, non-credit course is designed for professionals and recent college graduates who are interested in exploring the TESOL field as a future career opportunity. The course provides an overview of the theories and methods of teaching the English language. Participants learn about different types of language learners and their profiles and discuss historic and current methods of teaching the English language. Fundamentals of lesson planning and organization will also be presented, discussed, and practiced. This course further provides an overview and practice of the instructional methods and approaches for teaching the core English language skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Participants will also engage in practical experience with language learners by tutoring, observing classes, and teaching. Upon completion of this course, participants earn a 100+ hour TESOL Certificate. EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT is available and NO APPLICATION FEE for the Spring 2021 sessions.