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About Us

The English Language Institute (ELI) was established in 1941 as the first university-based Intensive English Program in the United States. Today, the ELI exclusively serves members of the University of Michigan community with English for Academic Purposes courses and resources, GSI preparation, and TESOL courses that prepare students to teach English as a second or foreign language. 

The core of ELI's English for Academic Purposes offerings consists of a full range of credit-bearing courses and resources for international graduate students and undergraduate students. We also offer a comprehensive program of language and pedagogy courses for prospective and current U-M graduate student instructors (GSIs), as well as in-person and online summer programs for new international graduate students at the University of Michigan. ELI's TESOL teacher education courses are built around a strong emphasis on service learning and mindful, culturally-humble community engagement. 

Additional language support resources include one-on-one support via ELI's Graduate Language Clinics and Undergraduate Speaking and Writing Studio, as well as courses and resources for international visiting scholars, researchers, faculty, staff, and postdocs.

ELI's volunteer Conversation Circles program have been providing international students and scholars at U-M with informal English practice and insights into US culture in a relaxed, casual setting for over 30 years. 

How to Find the ELI

The ELI is located in Weiser Hall on the University of Michigan Central Campus. 

The ELI office is open Monday — Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00pm ET. We respond to inquiries via email at eli-information@umich.edu or by phone at 734.764.2413.

Our mailing address is:

Suite 900

500 Church Street

Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1042

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