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.

Accent Reduction & Vocabulary Building course is specially designed for beginners to provide speakers of English opportunities to practice speaking in many different real-life contexts about a variety of topics. Students increase their fluency and accuracy when speaking about familiar and unfamiliar topics. Students also improve their pronunciation through a variety of exercises. They learn and practice vocabulary, including the use of American English idioms.

Presentation Skills course is designed to help intermediate to advanced students develop their academic and professional speaking and presentation skills. Students will review best practices, strategies, and tactics to improve their preparation and presentations. Through individual and group presentations, including a capstone presentation, students will produce presentations using multiple styles of delivery.

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 Cafe 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.

The Cafe is currently held online every Friday, 9:00 – 11:30 am in the U.S. EDT. 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.

Business English and Successful Skills (online short-term)

This course is designed to help participants will learn how to plan and write for effective professional communication. Using multiple formats, students will gain instruction and practice with multiple professional rhetorical writing styles. Using real-life scenarios, models, and templates, students will develop their communication skills through active writing and communication. The course emphasizes clear, accurate communication that adheres to international professional norms. Topics include business correspondence, writing, and speaking for specific contexts.

Presentation Skills course is designed to help intermediate to advanced students develop their academic and professional speaking and presentation skills. Students will review best practices, strategies, and tactics to improve their preparation and presentations. Through individual and group presentations, including a capstone presentation, students will produce presentations using multiple styles of delivery.

This is a special mini program for global career readiness. This extra-intensive course is designed for those who would like to have a career in a global company. Students will not only learn how to create a winning resume, an appealing cover letter, and successful interview skills, but also develop the ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people across cultures. The course is recommended for Intermediate- and advanced-level English learners.

Leadership & Negotiation Skills course is grounded in the Social Change Leadership Model. The Social Change Leadership Model examines leadership development from three different perspectives: Individual, Group, and Community. Topics will include: Leadership Theory, Communication Skills, Multiculturalism, Creating a Vision, Ethical Decision Making, Who Am I?, and Collaborating with Difficult People. Participants will learn to improve leadership competence and cultivate leadership potential as well as negotiation skills which are essential to those who lead a group and organization. They will develop practical skills and increase understanding of leadership roles.

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.

This course will provide participants with an overview of the concepts behind the legal system in the United States and help participants learn and grow in their understanding of the field and the language of law. Participants will improve their legal analysis skills in American English, better understand the basis of the U.S. legal system, enhance both their general and legal vocabulary, and have the opportunity to network and share views with local, regional, and international colleagues on a variety of legal issues through email, synchronous, asynchronous discussions and other media formats.

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.

Foreign Language Conversation Skills (online)

The ARABIC Global Conversation Skills course gives you a chance to learn the practical “real-life” Arabic language by speaking with a NATIVE ARABIC INSTRUCTOR. You will have great cultural exchanges and meet new friends from around the world who study the Arabic language. It is a special place for practicing learning Arabic through fun topics and activities. One-hour lessons once a week.

The KOREAN Global Conversation Skills course gives you a chance to learn the practical “real-life” Korean language by speaking with a NATIVE KOREAN INSTRUCTOR from SOUTH KOREA. You will have great cultural exchanges and meet new friends from around the world who study the Korean language. It is a special place for practicing learning Korean through fun topics and activities. One-hour lessons once a week.

The JAPANESE Global Conversation Skills course gives you a chance to learn the practical “real-life” Japanese language by speaking with a NATIVE JAPANESE INSTRUCTOR from Japan. You will have great cultural exchanges and meet new friends from around the world who study the Japanese language. It is a special place for practicing learning Japanese through fun topics and activities. One-hour lessons once a week.

The SPANISH Global Conversation Skills course gives you a chance to learn the practical “real-life” SPANISH language by speaking with a NATIVE SPANISH INSTRUCTOR from Mexico. You will have great cultural exchanges and meet new friends from around the world who study the Spanish language. It is a special place for practicing learning “real-life” Spanish through fun topics and activities. One-hour lessons once a week.

The FRENCH Global Conversation Skills course gives you a chance to learn the practical “real-life” French language by speaking with a NATIVE FRENCH INSTRUCTOR who also teaches the French language at UMBC. You will have great cultural exchanges and meet new friends from around the world who study French. It is a special place for practicing learning French through fun topics and activities. One-hour lessons once a week.

The TURKISH Global Conversation Skills course gives you a chance to learn the practical “real-life” Turkish language by speaking with a NATIVE TURKISH INSTRUCTOR from TURKEY. You will have great cultural exchanges and meet new friends from around the world who study the Turkish language. It is a special place for practicing learning Turkish through fun topics and activities. One-hour lessons once a week.