Located in the heart of the Silicon Valley of the East Coast, Raleigh, North Carolina, the English Learning Institute (ELI) is only a few- minutes’ drive from world famous universities like Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill, and NCSU. Over two hundred multi-national companies have either headquarters or research centers nearby in the Research Triangle Park (RTP). International students will have plenty of opportunities to immerse in campus life or network with high-tech professionals while attending the Academic English Program (AEP).

ELI’s Academic English Program (AEP) is a full-time, CEA accredited academic English program for international students offered year-round. This program is designed for English learners of all levels seeking to improve their English proficiency in all skill areas. AEP teaches English language and university study skills to students from many countries around the world.

Advantages of Choosing ELI:

• Conditional admission/TOEFL waiver for undergraduate admission to ELI partner colleges and universities with completion of AEP
• Short term and long term study options to fit each learners’ needs
• Small class sizes (maximum of 15 students per class)
• Tutoring
• University credit course options available while completing higher levels of the AEP
• University pathway advisors
• Competitive pricing
• Housing options (host families, apartments)

ELI offers students the following:

• 20 hours per week of academic English classes + elective classes
• Reading, writing, listening, speaking and presentation courses
• 6-level program aimed at university/college admission
• TOEFL preparation and testing
• Internet and computer access
• Access to library, health center, gym, and other campus facilities

Student Services

• University Admission Assistance
• F-1 visa advising
• Orientation
• Housing
• Academic Advising and Student Services Coaching
• Academic and Personal Success Plans
• Peer mentoring
• High school diploma equivalency courses
• University pathway choices
• Advisors based on each student’s major

ELI is proud to help students from around the world achieve their dreams while enhancing their English language proficiency. Whether students want to complete the AEP to gain admission to a university or just to improve their English, ELI’s AEP is the perfect program to fit each learners’ needs. ELI is accredited by CEA for the Academic English programs at our Chapel Hill campus.

ELI’s award winning academic English program enables students to meet their personal, academic, and professional goals through the inquiry based teaching method (IBT). All faculty members hold master's degrees or doctorates, are professionally active and are up-to-date on language teaching trends. Our campus is located in a new 12,500-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in Chapel Hill, NC.

Conditional Admission

Students can apply for undergraduate conditional admission to ELI partner universities by completing study instead of taking the TOEFL exam.

Professional Affiliations

• Member of the American Association of Intensive English Programs (AAIEP).
• Adheres to TESOL standards for postsecondary academic English programs.
• Adheres to NAFSA Code of Ethics/ Principles for English Programs and Determination of English Proficiency.
• Accredited by CEA

Nearby Attractions

ELI is just a 2 hours’ drive from the following popular travel destinations:

• Great Smoky Mountains: these beautiful mountains are located 4 hours to the west of ELI
• Atlantic Beach: located just 3  hours from ELI
• Outer Banks: this popular destination is located 4 hours to the west of ELI
• Washington D.C: The capital of the U.S. is located 4 hours north from ELI

AREA RANKINGS

The local and surrounding area has been consistently ranked one of safest place to live in the USA and the best place for business and living quality and has received the following accolades.

North Carolina

#1 'Growth State’ (from Forbes) - November 2016

Raleigh

#2 Easiest City to Find a Job (from Forbes) - November 2015

#2 America's Hottest Spots for Tech Jobs (from Forbes) - April 2016

#3 America's 20 Best Cities for Young Professionals (from Forbes) - March 2016

#5 among Top 10 Most Hospitable U.S. Cities (from Successful Meetings) - August 2016

#7 Best Places to Live (from U.S. News) - February 2017

#13 Best engineering university NCSU - (from U.S. News) 2017

#8 among America's Friendliest Cities (Travel and Leisure) - July 2016

#1 NC Museum of Natural Sciences among 2015 Top N.C. Tourist Attractions (from Carolina Publishing Associates) - March 2016

Durham

#8 Duke University Best Colleges (from U.S. News) - 2017

#7 Best Places to Live (from U.S. News) - February 2017

Chapel Hill

#30 UNC Chapel Hill Best Colleges (from U.S. News) - 2017