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English Language Program (ELP)

The English Language Program (ELP) is designed for students and professionals seeking to improve their English communication skills to advance their academic and career goals. 

Who is this program for?

  • Students who are preparing for an undergraduate degree in the U.S.
  • People who want to improve their English for better job opportunities
  • Students who want a semester abroad experience
  • People who want to improve their English communication skills
  • Friends and family of UT students/staff who want to improve their English and make friends in the Austin community
  • Students who want the option of an intensive program or a part-time program**

**Depending on visa status.

What do you need to apply?

  • You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.
  • You should know at least some English vocabulary.

Apply for ELP

Dates and Costs

Learn more about upcoming session dates and tuition costs.

Outcomes

Students will:

  • Develop and apply grammar structures accurately when speaking and writing
  • Improve their speaking fluency, listening comprehension, pronunciation, and conversational skills
  • Expand their vocabulary
  • Increase their writing fluency and accuracy, as well as the ability to control organization, unity, coherence, and development of detail
  • Learn how to write a well-organized paragraph, essay, and short documented paper
  • Enhance their critical thinking skills

Why should you study with us?

  • ELP offers 7 levels of study with flexible placement, depending on your individual strengths and weaknesses.
  • ELP provides workshops on a variety of academic and cultural topics, such as admissions workshops and campus safety.
  • ELP hosts multiple social events and outings each semester to expand English opportunities outside the classroom.
  • ELP students have access to a wide array of UT facilities and services.
  • ELP students have been accepted to undergraduate programs and secured top leadership positions in companies and governmental agencies across the globe.

What will you learn?

Core Courses

Course Description
Writing Description Express yourself more effectively in academic and non-academic writing, with work on content, accuracy, and organization.
Grammar Description Increase your accuracy in spoken and written contexts, and learn grammatical structures common in U.S. English.
Listening and Speaking Description Communicate more comfortably and increase your understanding in a variety of settings, from informal conversations to formal presentations.
Reading and Discussion Description Improve your comprehension of fiction and non-fiction, and develop your vocabulary, discussion skills, and reading speed.

Elective Courses

Course Description
Pronunciation classes Description Speak more clearly, focusing on stress and intonation patterns as well as individual sounds.
TOEFL, IELTS, and GRE preparation courses Description Prepare for these tests. Our courses focus on both content and test-taking strategies.

Elective courses meet 4 hours per week for 6 weeks.

 

View a Typical Class Schedule

Levels Offered

Our English Language Program (ELP) offers 7 different levels of instruction. These levels are related to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), described below. The CEFR levels describe your proficiency as you finish each level. For more information, see the CEFR global scale.

CEFR English Language Program Levels
A1 English Language Program Levels Beginning: A student at this level can communicate on topics such as personal interests, daily routine, family, and likes/dislikes using words, phrases, and short sentences.
A2 English Language Program Levels High Beginning: A student at this level can initiate and maintain communication on topics related to daily life and can provide information in phrases, simple sentences, and short compound sentences.
A2+ English Language Program Levels Low Intermediate: A student at this level can communicate on familiar topics and provide information with some success. Uses a limited range of vocabulary and structures.
B1+ English Language Program Levels Intermediate: A student at this level can express and support opinion and can handle a variety of uncomplicated communicative tasks with moderate success.
B2 English Language Program Levels High Intermediate: A student at this level can handle a variety of communicative tasks with success, although errors may be evident.
C1 English Language Program Levels Low Advanced: A student at this level can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics. Can communicate effectively in a variety of contexts and if miscommunication occurs, can repair them.
C1+ English Language Program Levels Advanced: A student at this level can handle a variety of communicative tasks with ease and confidence. Can almost always be understood with little effort by the general public and in academic settings.

 

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