English and American Culture
Short-term Program for University Students
Spend 4 weeks improving your English skills while learning about American culture
Hosted by the English Language Institute at the University of Delaware, English and American Culture is a short-term program combining high-quality ESL instruction, cultural course content and fun. It provides an enriching immersion experience for university students from around the world.
- The program includes one excursion to a major city (additional excursions can be arranged for a fee), allowing students to visit important cultural and historical sites on the East Coast of the U.S.
- An F-1 visa is required for international students to enroll in this full-time program.
Requirements
There is no minimum level of English skill required to apply for English and American Culture. Participants with “beginner” or “low-intermediate” levels of English will be enrolled in our General English courses.
If you have questions about the program or the application, please contact ud-eli@udel.edu.
Applying for English and American Culture is easy
Simply follow these instructions:
- Complete our online application.
- Send a copy of your passport to ud-eli@udel.edu.
A beautiful, safe campus
An ideal place to live and learn
Link to YouTube video: University of Delaware Virtual Visit: youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=com.synechron.udel.models.functions.SubstrAfter
Instructional Quality
The ELI faculty are experts in their field. All instructors have at least a master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) or in Applied Linguistics, have published textbooks and served as teacher trainers for colleagues from around the world.
What do English and American Culture Students do every day?
Sample Schedule of a Typical Week
| Time | Monday |
|---|---|
8:30 –10 a.m. |
|
10:30 a.m. – noon | Individual writing conference with professor |
1 – 2 p.m. |
|
3 – 4:30 p.m. | University class |
Evening | Student club activity |
| Time | Tuesday |
|---|---|
8:30 –10 a.m. | University class |
10:30 a.m. – noon | English for Academic Purposes |
1 – 2 p.m. | Discussion class |
3 – 4:30 p.m. |
|
Evening |
|
| Time | Wednesday |
|---|---|
8:30 –10 a.m. |
|
10:30 a.m. – noon | English Writing Composition |
1 – 2 p.m. |
|
3 – 4:30 p.m. | University class |
Evening | Student club activity |
| Time | Thursday |
|---|---|
8:30 –10 a.m. | University class |
10:30 a.m. – noon | Reading Lab |
1 – 2 p.m. | Discussion class |
3 – 4:30 p.m. |
|
Evening |
|
| Time | Friday |
|---|---|
8:30 –10 a.m. | |
10:30 a.m. – noon | English Writing Composition |
1 – 2 p.m. |
|
3 – 4:30 p.m. |
|
Evening | International Coffee Hour |
| Time | Saturday |
|---|---|
8:30 –10 a.m. | Excursions to New York, Washington, D.C. Attend a concert Cheer on the Blue Hens during sporting events |
10:30 a.m. – noon | |
1 – 2 p.m. | |
3 – 4:30 p.m. | |
Evening |
Activities
A variety of activities are available to English Language Institute students:
- Optional Hub Programs: Extensive reading books, conversation couch, e-game stations and tutors.
- ELI Activities: Structured or guided activities in the afternoons and evenings, including International Coffee Hour, hikes, concerts, local attractions, pool party, movie-viewing party, picnic, team-building challenges, ice-cream making, trail hiking, painting party (with instruction), guitar club/American music, intro to photography, downtown photo scavenger hunt.
- Activities around campus: gym, weights, indoor track, pool, table tennis, badminton, basketball and volleyball. The Hen Zone at UD's Perkins Student Center has billiards, video games, board games, table tennis and Quad Air Hockey.
Cultural Excursions
Discover some of the most famous sites on the East Coast of the USA, which may include New York City, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and the Delaware beaches.
Accommodations
The English Language Institute coordinates housing for students in short-term programs like English and American Culture.
PROGRAM DATES AND DURATION
| Orientation | Classes Start | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| April 30-May 1, 2026 | May 5, 2026 | May 29, 2026 |
| June 25-26, 2026 | June 30, 2026 | July 24, 2026 |
| August 19-21, 2026 | August 25, 2026 | September 18, 2026 |
| October 25-26, 2026 | October 20, 2026 | November 13, 2026 |
| January 4, 2027 | January 5, 2027 | January 29, 2027 |
| February 25-26, 2027 | March 2, 2027 | March 26, 2027 |
| April 29-30, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | May 28, 2027 |
| June 24-25, 2027 | June 29, 2027 | July 23, 2027 |
| August 18-20, 2027 | August 24, 2027 | September 17, 2027 |
| October 14-15, 2027 | October 19, 2027 | November 12, 2027 |
* Organizations requiring a program of a different length are invited to contact ELI administration directly.
PRICE
2026 – 2027
| Duration | Price |
|---|---|
| 4 weeks | US $2,739 |
| English test | English test includes online placement test prior to arrival. Skill areas assessed: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Grammar. |
| English courses | Students attend two English courses every day from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 12:45 p.m. |
| Certificate | Students in good academic standing will receive a certificate that verifies that they have completed the classes. They will also receive a transcript (grade report) showing the grades earned in each skill area (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, Grammar). |
| University student ID card | Provides students with access to the University’s facilities, including the gym, pool, library, computer labs, etc. |
| Health insurance | The ELI’s medical insurance helps to pay for a part of students’ healthcare and medical expenses. |
| Transportation | Free University shuttle bus. |
| University health clinic | Free consultation, treatment, and prescriptions provided by medical doctors and nurses. |
| Excursions | Past excursions have included one of the following: New York City, Washington D.C., Philadelphia or Baltimore, and Rehoboth Beach. |
| Activities | Afternoon and evening activities include hikes, picnics, tournaments, concerts and sports games. |
| U.S. Visa | The total cost for your F-1 student visa will be approximately $510, which includes the cost of the visa itself, plus SEVIS processing and maintenance fees. |
| Airfare | Students are required to pay for their plane ticket to travel to/from Philadelphia. |
| Spending money | Remember, Delaware has no sales tax on most purchases. |
| Textbooks | Aproximately $200. |
| Housing |
|
| Hotel accommodation | Upon arrival and departure (for late/early flights). |
| Airport Transfer fee: $100 – $200 |
|
About the English Language Institute
The English Language Institute (ELI) is an academic unit of the University of Delaware’s College of Arts and Sciences and has a long tradition of providing high-quality intensive English programs to international students and professionals from around the world.
The University of Delaware is considered to be one of the best institutions of higher learning in the USA and is currently ranked #44 among public institutions by the US News and World Report, 2025.
UD Capture Video: Welcoming students waving on the balcony of a building at the University of Delaware: https://capture.udel.edu/media/1_m7sjx33v/
