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Students who start at the Skill-Building Level (level 2 or 3) will need at least six sessions (more than one year) to complete the program. If you start ELI from level 4, it would take five sessions (one full year) to complete our program. If you fail ELI classes or take a break from studying, it will delay your graduation date. (See breakdown of courses.)

Proficiency Scale For Students At The English Language Institute

Letter Grade Percentage (%) Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) Description
A 100-94 4.0 The student has successfully met all of the objectives to move up to the next level. The student will be able to meet the objectives of the next level with little difficulty.
A- 93-90 3.7 The student has met all of the objectives to move up to the next level or course. The student will be able to meet the objectives of the next level with some difficulty.
B+ 89-87 3.3
B 86-84 3.0
B- 83-80 2.7
C+ 79-77 2.3 The student has completed only the minimal number of objectives to move up to the next level. The student might have some difficulty in meeting the objectives of the next level.
C 76-74 2.0 The student did not meet enough of the objectives to move up to the next level. The student will have considerable difficulty in meeting the objectives of the next level.
C- 73-70 1.7
D+ 69-67 1.3
D 66-64 1.0
D- 63-60 0.7
E 59-0 0.0

Achievement Scale for Students at the English Language Institute

CEFR* Level

ELI Grammar Level

ELI Reading Level

ELI Writing Level

ELI L/S Level
A1 -

ELI 110

  • Present Simple
  • Intro to Present Continuous
  • Adverbs of frequency
  • Subject, object, and possessive pronouns

ELI 130

  • Retell a short, simple story
  • Read / comprehend short news article
  • Scan to answer Y / N questions
  • Understand / apply course vocab from context / roots / affixes
  • Build reading fluency

ELI 120

  • Produce written simple sentences / questions using SVO sentence order and appropriate punctuation / capitalization / spelling.

ELI 140
Using course vocabulary and specific vowel sounds:

  • Comprehend short conversations / narrations
  • Express likes / dislikes
  • Request / give information
A1

ELI 210

  • Simple Present vs. Present Continuous
  • C/NC Noun with articles / quantifier
  • Prepositions of Time / Place; There is / There are
  • Modals of Present Ability / Possibility

ELI 230

  • Recall information
  • Identify basic parts of speech-scan for main idea / details
  • Understand extended / expository texts-skim for main ideas / inference
  • Understand / apply course vocab from context/roots / affixes
  • build reading fluency

ELI 220

  • Write simple, compound, and basic complex sentences using basic writing mechanics and spelling rules.
  • Write short personal letters
 ELI 240

Using course vocabulary and specific vowel / consonant sounds:

  • Make and confirm predictions
  • Identify main ideas and specific details-Express opinions /  agreement /  disagreement
A2

ELI 310

  • Simple Past / Past Continuous
  • Basic Future Forms
  • Modals (Requests / Permission / Desire / Preference)
  • Intro to participial adjectives

ELI 330

  • Skim to draw conclusions 
  • Scan to identify parts of speech / topic sentence / specific details
  • Comprehend extended narrative / expository texts-make predictions
  • Understand / apply course vocab from context / roots / affixes

-Develop reading fluency

ELI 320

  • Expand simple sentences
  • Using simple / compound / complex sentences and brainstorming techniques, write narrative and descriptive paragraphs

ELI 340

Using course vocabulary and specific vowel/consonant sounds:

  • Comprehend Organization / Content of Conversations
  • Agree / disagree-Make / respond to requests / invitations
  • Recognize / produce stress / intonation patterns / syllable stress
A2+/B1

ELI 410

  • Present Perfect / P.P. Continuous
  • Modals of Advice / Necessity / Prohibition
  • Adverbs of Degree / Manner / Possibility / Opinion
  • Comparatives and Superlatives

ELI 430

  • Identify pronoun referents
  • Draw conclusions
  • Preview and predict
  • -Comprehend short passages-scan for specific information
  • Understand / apply course vocab from context / roots / affixes
  • Develop reading fluency

ELI 420

  • Use simple, compound, complex sentences and brainstorming techniques, write an opinion paragraph and a 3-paragraph descriptive essay

ELI 440

  • Infer meaning from context-Express opinions / hold the floor-Ask follow-up questions
  • Recognize and produce:
  • Intonation patterns
  • Past tense endings
  • Recognize / apply grammar-Build key vocabulary
B1

ELI 510

  • Past Perfect / P.P. Continuous vs. Simple past
  • Gerunds and Infinitives
  • More Future Forms-Present / Future Modals of Possibility / Certainty

ELI 530

  • Make inferences
  • Summarize
  • Comprehend expository texts-Predicting
  • Understand / apply course vocab from context / roots / affixes
  • Develop reading fluency

ELI 520

  • Outline and write basic 5-paragraph process and comparison / contrast essays

ELI 540

Apply idioms-Produce correct sounds

  • Use word stress rules
  • Producing native
  • like and sustained speech
  • Use blending and linking
  • Use sentence-level stress, tone, register, and gestures
B1+/B2

ELI 610

  • Reported Speech
  • Passive Voice
  • Modals of Present / Past (Obligation / Possibility)
  • Real / Unreal Conditionals

ELI 630

  • Comprehend expository texts-Draw conclusions
  • Identify organizational patterns / supporting details
  • Understand / apply course vocab from context / roots / affixes
  • Develop reading fluency

ELI 620

  • Paraphrase and quote pre-selected sources to write logically organized cause / effect and categorical definition essays

ELI 642

  • Utilize verbal and non-verbal conversational strategies
  • Develop background knowledge through information gathering
  • Refine inventory of speech sounds
  • Present impromptu speeches
B2

ELI 710

Use/distinguish Advanced Count / Non-count nouns / irregular plurals / collective nouns

Determiners

Noun Phrases (multi-word adjectives / noun modifiers / appositives)

Adjective Clauses/Reduced Relative Clauses

ELI 750

  • Analyze college-level text and lecture content
  • Gain oral presentation skills
  • Practice test-taking strategies
  • Summarize information-Vocabulary (roots / affixes)
  • Reading fluency

ELI 720

  • Use summary and synthesis to write multi-page argumentative essays, selecting and citing sources using MLA format

ELI 741

  • Engage in classroom discussions, using discussion strategies
  • Give timed oral presentations
  • Listen to academic content
  • Build vocabulary for academic discourse
  • Develop / understand discourse Signals
C1

ELI 876 (TOEFL PREP)

  • Test-taking strategies
  • Read test passages-Listen to academic lectures and conversations
  • Provide spoken responses
  • Provide timed written responses
  • Develop vocabulary skills

ELI 850

  • Analyze/Synthesize college-level text/lecture content
  • Apply test-taking strategies
  • Vocabulary (roots/affixes)
  • Reading fluency
 ELI 820
  • Use analysis and synthesis to evaluate sources and write a multi-page research paper, using APA citations

ELI 840

  • Identify main ideas /  supporting details in arguments
  • Prepare / organize oral debates
  • Clarify meaning
  • Engage in critical thinking skills
  • Demonstrate proficiency in grammar /  pronunciation

*Common European Framework of References for Languages

Certificate Of Graduation

If you successfully complete levels 7 and 8 courses, you will receive a Certificate of Graduation. See sample here:

sample graduation certificate

Level 7 Required Courses
You must earn a minimum of "C+" or 2.3 GPA for each course. You must complete four level 7 courses in order to take level 8 courses.

Core Courses

  • ELI 710 Advanced Grammar I
  • ELI 720 Advanced Writing I
  • ELI 741 Academic Listening and Speaking
  • ELI 750 College Success I

Level 8 Required Courses
You must earn a minimum of "C+" or 2.3 GPA for each course. You must complete four level 8 courses in order to graduate.

Core Courses

  • ELI 820 Advanced Writing II
  • ELI 860/870: Advanced Electives-see below
    • ELI 872 American Perspectives
    • ELI 874 American Cinema
    • ELI 877 The American West in Literature and Media

TOEFL Waiver after program completion

  • After successfully completing Level 8 with a "B" average or higher, you may apply to the University of Utah as an undergraduate without a TOEFL score.

Certificate Of Participation

If you complete less than four sessions and do not complete the Bridge Course (level 7 and 8), you will receive a Certificate of Participation. See sample here:

sample participation certificate

ELI reserves the right to change session dates, schedules, program requirements, all fees and charges without notice if necessary. Some courses are not necessarily offered each session or each year.

Last Updated: 2/7/24