English Courses at The University of Alabama

The Intensive English Program (IEP) is a full-time course offered by the English Language Institute of the University of Alabama. It is designed to adjust to all types of students who are looking to improve their English communication skills, so if you are looking to study for academic, professional or recreational purposes, this is the right program for you. Moreover, since it is offered in 6 different levels, everyone will have a place in this popular English program. It is core courses include Reading/Writing, Speaking/Listening and Structure (grammar).

Program Schedule

Core classes are offered in the morning and in the afternoon.

Details about the Intensive English Program at the University of Alabama

In terms of quality, value, and total educational experience, the Intensive English Program (IEP) of the University of Alabama is one of the best intensive English programs in the United States (ESL). Its teachers are professionally trained and experienced instructors in teaching English as a second language. All ELI faculty members have master’s degrees in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language). Many have also lived and taught outside of the United States.

The campus of University of Alabama is one of the largest and most beautiful in the country; therefore students can easily enjoy other activities during their free time, interacting in English with teachers, classmates, and friends, helping their English skills improve rapidly.

Moreover, ELI students have access to all student facilities at The University of Alabama, including libraries, computer labs, the Student Health Center, outdoor recreational facilities and the very popular Student Recreation Center, which help students keep learning and Improving their English skills outside of the classroom.

The Intensive English Program offers 6 levels of instructions:

1. Low Beginning
2. High Beginning
3. Low Intermediate
4. High Intermediate
5. Low Advanced
6. High Advanced

The students take the ELI Placement Exam on the first day of the session and are placed in the appropriate level for each core class (Reading/Writing, Speaking/Listening, Structure). Core classes, which meet for a total of 20-25 hours per week, are the foundation of the ELI program of study. “Required core classes” are offered each session at each level and consist of the following:

• Reading/Writing: 9 hours per week
• Speaking/Listening: 6 hours per week
• Structure(grammar): 5 hours per week

A student may be placed into a different level for each required core class (there are 6 levels), depending on his or her ability in that area. For example, a student may have Reading/Writing 3, Speaking/Listening 4, and Structure 2. Students advance from level to level as a result of the grades they earn in each of their required core classes; students who excel may be eligible to skip a level.

The English Language Institute also offers a variety of advanced elective classes which are available to students in Levels 4, 5, and 6. For example, Oral Communication is designed for students who wish to concentrate on improving their speaking and listening in English, and TOEFL Preparation is available to students who wish to focus on improving their TOEFL scores.

The English + Business Program is a full-time course offered by the English Language Institute and The Culverhouse College of Commerce. It is specially prepared for professionals who want to learn more about how business is done in the USA and expand their knowledge about different key concepts. It includes the core English lessons, 4 lectures by invited business professors, 1-2 visits to local corporations or business, a welcome reception, and a final completion certificate. So, all things considered, this program is perfect for you if you wish to learn about business or enhance your current knowledge.

Program Schedule

English classes are normally in the morning, one in the afternoon, and the business lectures afterwards.

Details about the English + Business Program at the University of Alabama

The English + Business Program of the University of Alabama is a four or eight week program designed for non-native speakers of English who want to improve their English Language skills and learn about business concepts and practices in the United States. The English + Business Program (EBP) is offered throughout the year by English Language Institute (ELI) of The University of Alabama (UA), in cooperation with the UA College of Commerce & Business Administration (C&BA).

Some Key features of the English + Business Program include the following:

• Provides training in English and business for non-native speakers of English
• Includes 40+ hours of English instruction and 15-20 hours of business lectures
• Includes two visits to local corporations

Program Curriculum

Intensive English (40+ hours of instruction)

Participants are integrated into the ELI’s Intensive English Program, each student at his/her appropriate level of instruction in Levels 1-6.

Each student’s proficiency in English and appropriate ELI level of instruction will be determined by means of the ELI Placement Exam, which is administered at the beginning of the program.

Business Lectures/Workshops (12 – 16 hours of instruction)

The UA College of Commerce & Business Administration offers between six and eight business-related lectures. Each lecture focuses on a different area of business study related to the following general topics:

• Marketing
• Management
• Business concepts
• Business ethics
• Business communication
• Business practices in the US
• Computer applications
• Trade between Alabama and the world

Lectures are scheduled in the afternoons two or three days per week and will be held in C&BA or other classrooms on the UA campus. Each lecture is scheduled for approximately two hours, including time for questions and discussion.

Corporate Visits (2 visits)

One of the corporate visits is typically to Mercedes-Benz US International, which is located in Tuscaloosa County. Other possible visits include, but are not limited to, local corporations in the following fields:

• Agriculture/aquiculture (e.g., catfish farming)
• Banking
• Electronics
• Food
• Hospitality
• Medical/Healthcare
• Steel milling

The English + Hospitality Management program is a full-time course offered by the English Language Institute and the UA College of Human Environmental Sciences. It is been designed to teach English and key concepts of hospitality management to professionals or students interested in this particular industry. It includes English lessons, 4 lectures by invited hospitality-management professors, 1-2 visits to local corporations, a welcome reception, and a final completion certificate. Moreover, the UA hospitality school is ranked among the top 25 hospitality schools in the US.

Program Schedule

Core classes are offered in the morning and in the afternoon. Lectures are given during the afternoon.

Program Curriculum

Intensive English (45+ hours of instruction):

Students will take English classes in Reading/Writing and Speaking/Listening. Moreover, they take a Hospitality Management English class, on top of the hospitality lectures and workshops. The English level of students is assessed with a placement test at the beginning of the program. English lessons take place during the morning, from Monday to Friday.

Hospitality Management Lectures/Workshops (4 lectures)

The UA College of Human Environmental Sciences, as well as other University of Alabama colleges and departments, offer a minimum of 4 lectures related to hospitality Management. These normally focus on different areas of the hospitality industry, such as:

• Meetings and Events Management
• Hotel Operation
• Food/Beverage
• Sports Operation and Management

Lectures take place in the afternoons, one day per week. Each lecture lasts around 90 minutes, including time for questions and answers.

Corporate Visits (1 – 2 visits)

The UA College of Human Environmental Sciences prepares corporate visits for students. The college has relationships with several hotels, restaurants, and conference centers nearby.