Skip to Main Content

The University of Tennessee

Independent Study


 


Program of Study

 
Core Curriculum: Full-Time Intensive ProgramStudent

The curriculum consists of three proficiency levels: basic, intermediate, and advanced. In any given session, the appropriate courses will be offered for the proficiency levels represented in the enrollment. Classes are limited in number of students. As a general rule, the lower the proficiency level, the lower the number of students per class. Classes meet 4 periods each day, Monday through Friday. Each student has classes with emphasis on the following (see weekly schedule listed below):

  • English Structure (Grammar)
  • Writing/Composition (Rhetoric)
  • Reading and Vocabulary
  • Listening and Conversation

Students also have elective classes. Available electives vary from term to term; recent offerings have included photography, Internet English, American movies, music, and art. Provision is made for TOEFL preparation, and classes assist students in pronunciation, test-taking strategies, U.S. culture orientation, and university study skills. Daily assignments are given for all classes. Listening comprehension students may practice each day with audio tape materials checked out from Institute instructors. Students must bring recorders or purchase them after arrival.

Objective and subjective quizzes and examinations are given regularly for grading purposes. The A, B, C, D, F grading system is used. All grades are recorded on the ELI Certificate of Attendance, issued to each student at the end of the term. The faculty also presents special certificates and awards to students selected for outstanding academic and cultural contributions to the program.

 
Sample Weekly Schedule
  Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
9:00-9:50 a.m. Grammar Grammar Grammar Grammar Grammar
10:00-10:50 a.m. Reading Reading Reading Reading Reading
11:00-11:50 a.m. Writing Writing Writing Writing Writing
12:00 Noon Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch
1:10-3:00 p.m. Listening & Speaking Elective Listening & Speaking Listening & Speaking TOEFL Preparation

The weekly schedule is subject to change, depending on enrollment and classroom availability. Full-time students may begin classes as early as 8:30AM and end classes as late as 4:20PM.

 
Computer Laboratory

The computer-assisted language learning laboratory is an important part of each student's program. Multimedia software is available for 400+ hours of English language study and practice. Students also can use the laboratory for E-mail, Internet information retrieval and word processing.

 
Student Placement

At the beginning of each term, students are assigned to levels according to their ability in each language skill area. Assignment to the appropriate levels is based on placement test results and instructor evaluations of student proficiency.

 
StudentTOEFL

One institutional TOEFL is given in each term to all ELI students; the cost of this examination is included in the tuition fee. The average gain in total TOEFL score for full-time ELI students is 5 to 6 points per week, but some students have increased their scores significantly more.

 
Additional Curriculum

In addition to the full-time intensive English program, the ELI offers part-time study for non-native speakers in the U.S. No 1-20 is issued for part-time study. Contact ELI for details, including fees.

 
Student Orientation

Because studying in a foreign country is an exciting but difficult experience, the ELI faculty provides a program to familiarize students with life in the United States. A two-day orientation program begins each session; social, cultural and educational activities are organized during the term. Students have luncheons, parties and picnics, among other activities. The cost of these activities is included in the ELI Tuition and Maintenance Fee, and attendance is required. Other activities are occasionally organized by instructors, for which students must pay their own expenses.

 
Student Counseling and Guidance

The faculty serve as advisors to students, counseling with problems such as homesickness and housing. Students are also assisted in applying for admission to U.S. colleges or universities. The ELI maintains a file of catalogs of American universities for student use in the selection of educational institutions for further academic study.