Skip to content

Come Learn with Us!

For more than 30 years, the English Language Institute at the University of Utah has provided quality English courses to students from all over the world. Here are just a few reasons you should study English with us:

  • Our instructors are licensed and experienced. We have nearly 100 years of combined teaching experience!
  • Classes are small.
  • Classes meet in the evenings. 
  • Prices are affordable.
  • We help local students* of all skills levels.

*Evening classes are only for local residents who do not require an F1 visa. Students on an F1 visa should apply for the Intensive English Program.

 

Classes

General English classes for beginning and intermediate English speakers last 8 weeks. After you apply, you will take a placement test to determine the best level for you. For advanced English classes, please see the Zions Evening ESL Program.

2024 Session Dates

Classes are every Monday through Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in our building located at 540 Arapeen Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. 

  • Spring - 1 | Jan 8 - Mar 1

Application closes December 22, 2023.

Click each level to see what you will learn:

In this introductory class, students will begin their study of the English language with the verb to be, basic personal information, and how to ask and answer simple questions.

Some specific skills that will be developed are: Asking and answering simple questions.  Use of the verb to be in the simple present.  Basic grammar and vocabulary.

In level 1, students will continue their language learning process with an introduction to action verbs and the use of the simple past, the present continuous, and discussion of future plans.

Some specific skills that will be developed are: Asking for and giving directions, resolving problems in the office, reading and listening to short passages, and asking complex questions.

In level 2, students will move on to more complex conversations and grammatical forms. Students will also begin to develop writing skills by focusing on simple and complex sentences and email writing.

In level 3, students to begin to learn more complexities of English, such as expressing doubt and certainty, the use of phrasal verbs, and more advanced listening and reading activities.

Some specific skills that will be developed are: The use of phrasal verbs, articles for singular nouns, comparatives and superlatives, and the use of the past continuous.

In level 4, students will work on using the conditional to give and receive advice, practice advanced phone conversation, and learn the perfect forms of the past tense.  This will prepare them to take on our final level in the Zions Bank program.

Some specific skills that will be developed are: The past perfect and past perfect continuous, the narrative tenses, the first and second conditional, and writing complex sentences.

Students who have already passed either General English level 4 or Zions are not required to apply or take a second placement exam to take General English Level 5.
 
In level 5, students decide on their next language learning pathway. Both our Zions Bank program and the General English 5 (Career Focus) are at the same level of difficulty (B1+ to B2), however the Career Focus course is oriented toward business and career skills like customer service, presentation skills, negotiation, conflict resolution, email writing, and more. Our Zion’s Bank course is more academic, and designed much more like a university English course.
 
Some specific skills that will be developed are: Presentation of visual and number data, Teleconferencing, Job Interview preparation, comparison of financial data and much more.

 

Application Process

  1. Apply to General English

    Fill out the online application form. You must be at least 18 years old and literate in your first language. Priority is given to students who plan to pursue higher education and/or want to improve their job opportunities.

  2. Take Placement Test

    All prospective students must take an online placement test prior to being accepted into the program. Placement tests are offered one month prior to the start of each semester. Directions for how to complete the test will be sent once your application is approved.  

  3. Get Your Score and Level

    Shortly after you take the placement test, we will tell you your score and discuss which class is best for you. 

  4. Pay Tuition and Purchase Textbook
    Payment can be made with cash, credit card, debit card, or check issued to the University of Utah. Payment is due prior to the first day of class so that the textbook can be ordered in time

*General English level 5 registration for returning students - Students who have already passed either General English level 4 or Zions are not required to apply or take a second placement exam to take General English Level 5.

apply now

Costs and Payment

Classes are every Monday through Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in our building located at 540 Arapeen Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Tuition is $300 with the book included. All programs require an online placement test. The placement test costs $50.00.

You can make payments in person at the English Language Institute is located in Research Park: 

540 Arapeen Dr. Room 115
Salt Lake City, Utah 84108

We accept all major credit cards, checks, and cash. You can also mail a check to the above address (make checks payable to Continuing Education, University of Utah) or pay by credit card over the phone.

To receive a refund, you must drop by the end of week 2.

 

Contact Us

Questions? Call the ELI office at 801-581-4600 or email us at eli@utah.edu

Last Updated: 11/20/23