The intensive program in the ELI currently offers two bands with two levels.  Students in the Introduction to Academic English and Academic English bands study together.  Since students may need to study at the ELI for two semesters, new materials are used each semester.  All courses focus on English for Academic Purposes to prepare students to study at the University. 

The ELI levels correspond to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) global scale, published by the Council of Europe.  The CEFR describes what language learners have to learn to do to use a language for communication and what knowledge and skills they have to develop to be able to act effectively.  The CEFR defines six levels of proficiency (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2) from an initial division of three broad levels: A (Basic User), B (Independent User), and C (Proficient User).

Wayne State University accepts standardized test scores equivalent to a B-2 CEFR level as proof of English language proficency for admission.  Therefore, the levels of the ELI Intensive Program correspond to the CEFR as follows:

• ELI Introduction to Academic English (High-Intermediate) - CEFR B1-B2
• ELI Academic English (Advanced) - CEFR B2

Explore the course descriptions for the intensive English program below.

High-Intermediate and Advanced Levels

Speaking and Listening

The focus of this course is to develop students' academic listening and speaking skills needed for successful extended academic discourse.  Students will use listening strategies to show detailed understanding of lengthy academic listening passages.  They will apply speaking strategies to share information and perspectives and communicate successfully with automaticity in a culturally-appropriate fashion.  Students will generate complex and academic speech using complex vocabulary with grammatical accuracy when summarizing information, participating in academic discussions, giving a professional introduction, presenting a group survey, giving an impromptu speech, and participating in a panel discussion.  In all speeches and discussions, students' concentration will be on consistently speaking intelligibly and fluently.

Reading and Writing

Students will develop their critical thinking skills through reading, writing, and classroom discussion.  Students will write timed, well-developed multi-paragraph essays that include an introductory paragraph with thesis statement, multiple body paragraphs with topic sentences, support and details; and a conclusion.  Students will incorporate a variety of rhetorical strategies (narrative, description, compare/contrast, cause/effect, opinion) by integrating them effectively into academic essays which include appropriate transitions and citation of sources. Students will focus on summarizing, analyzing, and synthesizing information from various sources and using academic vocabulary in their writing.  Students will continue to use a variety of sentence types at a more advanced level with fewer grammatical errors. 

Grammar

The focus of this course is to master students' communicative competence, or their ability to communicate effectively and appropriately, in writing and speaking. Advanced grammar points will be studied and practiced in ways that simulate academic discussions, scenarios, and assignments.  Students will engage in a variety of communicative activities that demand grammatical accuracy.