ELI achieves highest enrollment in history

March 4, 2009

During fall 2008, the English Language Institute (ELI), a University of Florida Division of Continuing Education department, achieved its highest enrollment of 214 students, since opening in 1955.

The institute offers extensive English-language programs, taught by UF faculty, which prepare students to speak English in academic and real-life settings. Students come from approximately 30 countries.

The institute’s extensive Cultural Immersion Program enriches students’ English-learning process by hosting ELI social activities throughout the Gainesville area. Students may participate in weekend trips, weekday activities and volunteer activities. Upcoming weekend activities include an annual trip to the Gainesville Spring Arts Festival on Saturday, March 28. Weekday activities include soccer, basketball and game nights.

On Saturday, April 4, ELI will partner with the Girl Scout Council of North Florida to host “Around the World in 240 Minutes,” an event held to teach girls in grades 6 through 8 about ELI female students’ home countries.

The public is welcome to attend ELI events. All attendees must sign-up for trips on the activities board outside ELI’s main office, 315 Norman Hall, by 4 p.m. on the Thursday before the scheduled trip. Attendees also may sign-up on the ELI Web site, http://www.eli.ufl.edu.

The student section of ELI’s Web site offers opportunities for students to network with their peers, professors, language assistants and the institute’s alumni.

ELI is the only English-language program that hires two language assistants to aid listening/speaking course teachers. Assistants are undergraduate English-speakers who help students practice informal, conversational English and teach about American culture for four hours per week.

UF undergraduates interested in working as language assistants may contact Noreen Baker, ELI’s listening/speaking coordinator, at noreenb@ufl.edu.

Megan Forbes
Director, English Language Institute