ACCREDITATION ELI Earns status with quality of programs

The English Language Institute (ELI) at UD is one of only 24 of the approximately 1,000 English language programs in this country to earn accredited status by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation.

In a letter of notification to ELI director Scott Stevens, Paul Angelis, who chairs the commission, wrote ELI "is to be congratulated on its quality program and its student-centered emphasis. It is obviously well managed and integrated within the University of Delaware. The commission commends the program for its demonstrated strengths in all areas.

"In particular, it is evident that faculty and students contribute appropriately to decision-making under effective leadership," he wrote. "Programs such as the ELI greatly contribute to international education and are excellent models for others offering English language programs."

"ELI accreditation confirms UD's leadership in teaching English as a second language," Bobby Gempesaw, vice provost of academic programs and planning, said. "The proof of the program is that its reputation attracts students, scholars, professionals, business persons and others for whom learning English is important, from all over the world."

"We are delighted to receive official recognition of our program," Stevens said. "Although we have always been rated highly by those in the field, it was gratifying to receive accreditation and top marks in all facets of ELI from administration, admissions and curriculum to faculty, classes and student support. The report reflects very well on my colleagues–teachers, tutors, administrators and staff–who are all incredibly talented and dedicated professionals.

"It took us a year and a half to do the self-study and prepare the documents for the accreditation, which was followed by a site visit.

"One of the hallmarks of our program, which sets it aside from others, is private tutoring, which we've offered since the beginning of the institute.

"Not only does private tutoring help students in their mastery of English, it individualizes the program for students and helps create a caring community of learning where they feel more at home," he said.

ELI was established in 1979 to assist foreign students and scholars at the University and focused on preparing students for successful study. It was under the College of Arts and Science until 1991, when it moved to the then Office of International Programs and Special Sessions.

ELI has grown in both the number of students it serves and the number of programs it offers. In 1984, about 27 students were enrolled per session. Now, approximately 1,600 students register during the year, including 1,200 who are enrolled in the intensive English program, which offers six, eight-week sessions per year.

"We have a quasi-United Nations environment with students from 35 to 40 countries, including many from South America and Asia, enrolled in our programs. Some of our students take leave from their jobs because they realize the importance of knowing English to enhance their careers," Stevens said.

A look at the current newsletter gives some indication of ELI's diversity: Participants include a group of 10 from Royal Saudi Airlines, English teachers from the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union, business students from Morocco, teachers and students from Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

ELI offers a variety of programs for those who plan to work toward a degree, for business and legal professionals, for language teachers and those who are simply interested in learning English. After basic courses and proficiency in English, students may choose courses from four tracks–English for academic purposes, general English, English through American culture and business English. A new program is a three-week "Super-Intensive Executive English Program."

In addition, ELI screens and trains all international teaching assistants at UD and conducts pre-academic orientation for international students in UD's MBA program.

As part of its outreach services, ELI assists local school districts with testing and training teachers to work with students who have limited English. For 12 years, ELI has provided on-site instruction for all children in grades one to six in the Christina School District in need of English-as-a-second-language development.