For more than 30 years, Knoxville, Tennessee's English Language Institute (ELI) has helped students and professionals improve their English language skills.

ELI is a department of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, which was founded in 1794. The university has 27,000 students who come from every state in the U.S. and more than 90 foreign countries. The University provides an International House as a campus meeting place for international and American students. Knoxville is a comfortable city with a metropolitan population of 687,000. Knoxville is a safe and friendly city, with a pleasant climate. Knoxville has been ranked as a “best place to live in the U.S. and Canada” with a population of fewer than 1 million. Knoxville is near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited National Park in the United States.

Student and Campus Life

ELI students have access to all facilities on the University of Tennessee campus. Most students choose to live alongside American students in University dormitories or apartments. In addition, students can use ELI's state-of-the-art computer lab, which includes full internet access and language learning software. All students can use the campus’s wireless system.

ELI students come from all over the world-Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. ELI students enjoy the relaxed university campus and friendly interaction with faculty and fellow students. Many ELI students are matched with a local student as a part of ELI”s conversation partner program; partners meet one hour per week to practice conversation. Students also participate in special activities each term, such as visits to the Smoky Mountain National Park, picnics, visits to amusement parks, outlet shopping malls, and campus sports events.

ELI Classes

Classes begin in January, March, June, July, August, and October. The ELI curriculum has 7 proficiency levels with specific courses in Grammar, Reading, Writing and Listening/Speaking Students are in class 21 hours per week. The average class size is 12 students.

ELI students take elective classes that are offered in a variety of subjects: U.S. Culture, American Films, American Idioms, Driver's License Preparation, American cooking, etc. At the end of each term, ELI students can take the Institutional TOEFL exam at no cost. New ELI students participate in a two-day orientation. ELI also organizes parties, picnics, and trips to local cultural and recreational attractions.

At the end of each term, students are awarded a certificate indicating their grades in the courses completed.

ELI Faculty

ELI faculty are trained professionals who hold Master’s degrees in TESOL or language teaching. On average, faculty have 15 years of experience. ELI faculty enjoy working with people from different countries and abilities.

Please request a brochure and application by letter, telephone, fax, or e-mail. The faculty of the English Language Institute looks forward to meeting you and helping you improve your English.