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We look forward to welcoming you to the
English Language Institute
at the University of Houston - Downtown

• Intensive English Program
• Business English Program
• Afternoon Electives
• Click here to inquire about these programs
• About the University of Houston - Downtown
• Location: Houston, Texas

The future peace and prosperity of the world depend upon bonds of friendship and understanding between the many cultures of the world. Language is a first step to that understanding. The English Language Institute at the University of Houston - Downtown provides international students with a meaningful introduction to American culture. We also help our university students learn more about their world neighbors.

The English Language Institute is a proud member in full standing of the American Association of Intensive English Programs (AAIEP). The ELI also endorses the high standards of excellence set forth by NAFSA: Association of International Educators and TESOL: Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages.

Proud Member

Taking English Language
and / or Academic Degree Programs
at the University of Houston- Downtown

The University of Houston - Downtown offers 37 baccalaureate degrees and seven master's degrees. International students may come to the university to study English language only, to study for an academic degree only, or to study English and then get an academic degree. Students studying English only receive a one-year I-20 (an application for a student visa) and must show financial support of US$13,000. Students who plan to get an academic degree receive a four-year I-20 and must show financial support of US$18,560 (because academic tuition is higher). Students must have a TOEFL score of 213 on the CBT or 80 on the IBT to enter directly into academic degree study. If students have not taken the TOEFL or do not have a sufficient score, they may study English language first and then go into a degree program when they have completed their English study. Such students will receive a five-year I-20 and must show financial support of US$18,560.

The Intensive Program at the English Language Institute has prepared students in the English language since 1974. Thousands of ELI graduates have entered academic classes, both as undergraduate and graduate students, at the University of Houston - Downtown and at campuses across the United States. Other ELI graduates have returned to their home countries to better jobs and stronger professional lives. We have the experience to help you meet your English language goals.

The ELI offers a seven-level Intensive English Program (IEP) for students and professionals wishing to improve their language skills for university study or professional use. Students with lower levels of proficiency quickly develop vocabulary and conversational skills. Intermediate and advanced-level students focus on academic skills and content. The 20 hours of in-class instruction per week is supported by a state-of-the-art Sanako language and computer laboratory, and a 20-stationed computer laboratory is used at student discretion in the afternoons between 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. Students can access their email programs through the Internet in this lab. Extensive software, videos, activities, field trips, orientations, and free supplemental classes help students progress quickly. ELI graduates statistically do better than other students at the University of Houston - Downtown because of their excellent preparation!

Features of the Intensive English Program

• The latest in program design, teaching techniques, equipment, and materials
• Courses which prepare students for academic life in U.S. colleges and universities
• Intensive Focus: 20 hours in-class and 20 hours of computer lab every week
• Classes meet five days per week, from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
• The computer laboratory is open from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
• Six sessions per year
• Seven levels of instruction, with ample opportunity for rapid advancement

Testing, Promotion and Graduation

• New students are assigned a level based on placement test scores
• Promotion to a new level is possible every session
• ELI graduates may enter the University of Houston - Downtown without a TOEFL score
• ELI graduates receive three hours of academic credit
• Qualified students receive Certificates of Completion and Certificates of Graduation

Interested?
Click here to request more info.

The Business English Program is designed to provide trainees with a broad English language background along with the specific business skills required to meet their professional goals. Trainees (or company officials) are interviewed to determine the precise skills needed for job performance (such as conversational English, presentation delivery, business writing, cross-cultural communication, vocabulary building, or accent reduction). Trainees are tested to determine the level of English they have mastered. Instruction is then targeted to the individual trainee's needs.

Trainees usually have a limited time period to devote to English study, so we offer a concentrated course. Trainees take four intensive English program classes to help with their general English integration. These classes include instruction in listening and speaking, reading writing and grammar.

Trainees also take a combination of one-on-one classes: Training Classes and Business Laboratory Classes. The Training Class targets specific skills and content desired by the trainee. The Business Laboratory Class is designed by an instructor to support the trainee's other classes and integrate language skills using available English language software and other media. The trainee works in the ELI computer lab or language lab (or both), following the schedule prepared by the instructor.

Extended Programming and Company Groups: The ELI can provide cultural and professional excursions to accompany English programming for employees sent from companies abroad; excursions vary from in-city field trips to day-trips to nearby areas of interest. Employee group training is also available, either on campus or on-site at the company in the Houston area.

Learn more.
Select your preferences and complete the form.

Afternoon Electives: From time to time, the ELI offers TOEFL Preparation (for a fee) and free pronunciation classes in the afternoon for ELI students.

TOEFL Preparation Course (12 hours): This course introduces students to the construction of the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam. Students will take a preliminary practice TOEFL test at the beginning of the course, and another at the end of the course to measure progress. Past statistics show an average improvement of 50 points at the end of the course.

Pronunciation Course (6 hours): This course helps students gain and practice pronunciation skills. It is delivered in our new, state-of-the-art Sanako lab.

Get started now.
Click to proceed with the inquiry process.

About the University of Houston - Downtown: The University of Houston - Downtown welcomes students from around the world. Because UHD is a small campus within the University of Houston system, students benefit from smaller classes and from faculty who take a personal interest in each student. Some facts about the university:

• Founded in 1974; member of a university system founded in 1927
• A state-sponsored university
• An open-admission institution
• Dedicated to providing curriculum and support services necessary for academic success
• Offers four-year degree programs in 37 areas of study
• Offers graduate programs in education and criminal justice
• 12,000 students attend classes each year; 350 are international students
• Located in the central business district of Houston, Texas

Academic Degree Programs

The University of Houston - Downtown has many exciting degree programs to offer international students, with a range of experiential internships, capstone courses, and unusual offerings such as those from the Institute of Financial Literacy. International students may contact the International Admissions Office (http://www.uhd.edu/international) for information about academic programs. Students may also contact individual colleges and departments (listed below) to learn more about degree offerings (in English).

Students who plan to study English should always contact the English Language Institute first in order to make their application process easier.

UHD's College of Business offers baccalaureate degrees in Accounting, Administrative Management, Computer Information Systems, Finance, General Business, International Business, Management, Marketing, and Supply Chain Management. http://www.uhd.edu/academic/colleges/business

UHD's College of Humanities and Social Sciences offers baccalaureate degrees in Communication Studies, English, History, Humanities, Interdisciplinary Studies, Philosophy, Political Sciences, Professional Writing, Psychology, Social Sciences, Sociology and Spanish. The college also offers a Masters degree in Professional Writing and Technical Communication. http://www.uhd.edu/academic/colleges/humanities

UHD's College of Public Service offers baccalaureate degrees in Criminal Justice and Interdisciplinary Studies in Education. The college also offers Masters degrees in Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Bilingual Education, Security Management and Criminal Justice. http://www.uhd.edu/academic/colleges/publicservice

UHD's College of Sciences and Technology offers baccalaureate degrees in Applied Mathematics / Quantitative Methods, Applied Microbiology, Applied Physics, Biological and Physical Sciences, Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Safety and Fire Engineering Technology, Safety Management, Control and Instrumentation Networks, Industrial Chemistry, Process and Piping Design, and Structural Analysis and Design. http://www.uhd.edu/academic/colleges/sciences

Learn more about these valuable opportunities by
expressing your preferences
and completing the form.

Location, in Houston, Texas: Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States, with a metropolitan area population of four million. Its residents, representing a variety of cultures, contribute to Houston's strong international representation in arts, entertainment and commerce. In addition to events such as the Houston International Festival and the Worldfest / Houston International Film Festival, you will find others such as the Italian, Greek and Caribbean Festivals. Of course, as with any cosmopolitan city, Houston offers a wide variety of ethnic cuisine.

We look forward to welcoming you to the University of Houston - Downtown! To learn more, review all of our programs and select the ones that interest you. Then complete the inquiry form, and we will respond to you directly.