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English Language Institute
HMB E253
(202) 250-2606
(202) 651-5721
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The English Language Institute (ELI), a unit under the School of Language, Education, and Culture, provides an English as a Second Language program for American and international deaf and hard of hearing students. Bilingual instruction in both American Sign Language and written English provides a multicultural environment for ELI students to achieve academic, professional, and personal language goals.
If you’re interested in applying to the ELI, please use the ELI inquiry form.
Learn More
The ELI provides full-time instruction in English as a Second Language (ESL), American Sign Language (ASL), and cross-cultural studies to international and American deaf and hard of hearing adults.
Intensive study, throughout the academic year (late August to mid-May), helps students become proficient in English in order to qualify for admission to Gallaudet or another university in the United States.
Learning English at the ELI is intensive, interactive, and integrated in a rich cultural context. Full time students spend over 18 hours each week in classes, excluding optional classes and tutoring. Students are expected to be responsible for, and actively involved in, their learning. Subjects are taught in a global and coordinated fashion, with an emphasis on visual approaches to learning.
During the ESO, newly-admitted students attend workshops, open a bank account, get a mailbox, and participate in other activities to become familiar with other students, the ELI, Gallaudet, and the Washington DC area.
Learn more about our commitment to diversity and our accreditation status.
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This class focuses on English as a Second Language for a low intermediate (Level IV) level of English. It provides instruction and practice in reading and vocabulary skills necessary for successful communication in academic environments. Reading lessons are based on situations that the students may have experienced. Recreational reading is encouraged. Vocabulary is repeated for constant reinforcement. Students further develop their reading comprehension and vocabulary skills. (Credit: 7) Prerequisites: Placement into Level IV
This class focuses on English as a Second Language for an intermediate (Level V) of English. It provides instruction and practice in reading and vocabulary skills necessary for successful DRP test taking. Students' academic reading proficiency is developed and reinforced through reading context-based materials that include practice in skills such as comparing, classifying, synthesizing, evaluating, and inferring. (Credit: 7) Prerequisites: Level IV or placement into Level V
This class focuses on English as a Second Language for a high intermediate (Level VI) level of English. It provides instruction and practice in reading and vocabulary skills necessary for successful test preparation in DRP, ACT reading/vocabulary, TOEFL reading/vocabulary, and GRE reading/vocabulary as requirements for admission in undergraduate or graduate programs. (Credit: 7) Prerequisites: Level V or placement into Level VI
This class focuses on English as a Second Language for a low intermediate (Level IV) level of English. It provides instruction and practice in grammar and writing skills necessary for successful communication in academic environments. There is a focus on writing whole, original pieces through student involvement, collaborative small group work, peer critiquing, and teacher-student conferences. The bulk of instruction is on teacher modeling of writing in a supportive setting for active student exchange and valuing of students' ideas. By the end of the semester, the student should be able to produce narrative essays and simple descriptive essays with attention to clarity and grammatical accuracy. (Credit: 8) Prerequisites: Placement into Level IV
This class focuses on English as a Second Language for an intermediate (Level V) level of English. It provides instruction and practice in grammar and writing skills necessary for successful communication in academic environments. Students' grammar skills are reinforced as they write multi-paragraphs by following the stages of prewriting, writing, revising, and publishing. (Credit: 8) Prerequisites: Level IV or placement into Level V
This class focuses on English as a Second Language for a high intermediate (Level VI) level of English. It provides instruction and practice in grammar and writing skills necessary for successful test taking in ACT English, TOEFL English, and GRE as requirements for admission in undergraduate or graduate programs. (Credit: 8) Prerequisites: Level V or placement into Level VI
This class focuses on applying concepts learned in English as a Second Language class for a low intermediate (Level 4) level of English. It provides additional instruction and practice in writing, grammar, reading, and vocabulary necessary for survival skills and successful communication in academic environments. Although the focus of this class is the learning of English, bilingual teaching methods that utilize American Sign Language will be applied. The class will be student-centered and responsive to individual needs based on assessment and observation from their ELI 104 and ELI 204 classes. (Credit: 3) Prerequisites: Concurrent placement in Level IV
This class focuses on applying concepts learned in English as a Second Language class for an intermediate (Level 5) level of English. It provides additional instruction and practice in writing, grammar, reading, and vocabulary necessary for survival skills and successful communication in academic environments. Although the focus of this class is the learning of English, bilingual teaching methods that utilize American Sign Language will be applied. The class will be student-centered and responsive to individual needs based on assessment and observation from their ELI 105 and ELI 205 classes. (Credit: 3) Prerequisites: Concurrent placement in Level V
This class focuses on English as a Second Language for a high intermediate (Level VI) level of English. It provides instruction and practice in writing skills necessary for successful test taking in GWE, ACT writing, TOEFL writing, and GRE as requirements for admission in undergraduate or graduate programs. (Credit: 3) Prerequisites: Level V or placement into Level VI
This course introduces the basics of American Sign Language (ASL) and is designed for students who have little or no previous knowledge of ASL. Readiness for learning will be approached via visual-gestural communication techniques, visual discrimination, and visual memory exercises. ASL questions, commands, and other simple sentences structures are introduced to develop rudimentary conversational skills in ASL. Information about the Deaf Community and Deaf Culture will be introduced. (Credit: 3) Prerequisites: Evaluation for placement into ASL I
This course is a continuation of Communication Skills I. It expands the emphasis on American Sign Language (ASL) grammar, syntax, spatial referencing, and vocabulary development. Practice of ASL is provided via dialogues, short stories, narratives, and short conversations. There is a focus on discussions of Deaf culture. Detailed descriptions of people and surroundings are part of the targeted skill set that is to be learned. (Credit: 3) Prerequisites: ASL I or Evaluation for placement into ASL II
This course is designed to assist students in developing their skills in interpersonal communication in order to interact well with individuals and within groups. Students learn to communicate appropriately within various institutional systems in America, including the college educational system. Students learn how to conduct themselves in a structured meeting or in other activities within an organization. Students learn to give presentations and build up their self-confidence. (Credit: 3)Prerequisites: none
This optional course is a continuation of Cross-Cultural Communication I. It is designed to help students improve their cross-cultural communication skills, organizational skills, and leadership skills. Students write about their experiences learning a new culture and their perspectives. Group discussion of stories and organizational planning are integral components of this class. Students continue building up their self-confidence. Students have an opportunity to experience and discuss Deaf Studies in a structured setting so that they may learn more about Deaf culture and appreciate it in their lives. This class focuses on the interdisciplinary approach to Deaf Studies and the major interrelations of American Sign Language, Deaf history, Deaf culture, and Deaf community. A review of literature, fine arts, and Internet documents is conducted as part of this course as well. (Credit: 3) Prerequisites: ELI 115 Cross-Cultural Communication I Co-requisites: Placement in Level IV or above, ASL II or waived
This optional course covers basic math topics in basic English including elementary concepts of fractions, decimals, and percentages, computations of adding subtracting, multiplying and dividing, long division, equations, graphs, and applications up to algebra. (Credit: 4) Prerequisites: Placement into Numerical Language I or permission of the ELI Program Coordinator. Co-requisites: Placement in Level IV or above, ASL II or waived
This optional course is a continuation of Numerical Language I. It covers pre-algebra topics including numbers expressions, equations and inequalities, exponents, the coordinate plane, and applications up to algebra, trigonometry, and geometry. (Credit: 4) Prerequisites: Numerical Language I, placement into Numerical Language II, or permission of the ELI Program Coordinator. Co-requisites: Placement in Level IV or above, ASL II or waived
This optional course is a continuation of Numerical Language II. It covers algebra topics such as real numbers, equations and inequalities, exponents, factoring polynomials, graphing linear and quadratic equations, data analysis, and other complex applications. (Credit: 4) Prerequisites: Numerical Language II, placement into Numerical Language III, or permission of the ELI Program Coordinator. Co-requisites: Placement in Level IV or above, ASL II or waived
ELI students belong to the English Language Institute Students Organization (ELISO), which assists them in developing leadership skills. There is a minimal membership fee collection for each semester to support the organization’s various extra-curricular activities. Please bring a form of dress from your own country...
The ELI Student Orientation (ESO) and the university's New Student Orientation (NSO) ensures a smooth transition to student life for new ELI students, so they are prepared for their studies when the semester begins. During ESO, new ELI students will attend required policy workshops, take...
First Step - Academic Qualifications The first step of the ELI application process is to provide your academic qualifications, such as your transcripts, and supporting documents thru this LINK. You will need to complete and submit the application with the required documents online. You will...
All students at the English Language Institute are required to submit an advance payment or an official letter of financial support for each semester by the respective deadline (see below). The advance payment or official letter of financial support will clear the financial hold on...
If you have any questions about the ELI application, please email eli.office@galladuet.edu. Please note that admission to the ELI does not constitute admission to the undergraduate or graduate programs at Gallaudet University. Scores on the ACT, SAT, TOEFL, or any other standardized examination are NOT...
Gallaudet University is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, hearing status, disability, covered veteran status, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, source of income, place of business...
The English Language Institute at Gallaudet University is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) for the period December 2019 through December 2029 and agrees to uphold the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions. CEA is recognized by the U.S....
Acceptance into the ELI program is an opportunity for you to improve your English skills, expand your academic knowledge, and have fun with new friends. The program is rigorous, and it is an exciting opportunity for those up to the challenge. Academic content is designed...
In 1989 for Deaf Way I, the ELI staff presented a poster presentation paper "English and the Deaf Way: The English Language Institute for Deaf Students" on the purpose and function of the ELI program in the international deaf community. This paper was co-authored by...
ELI has a set of exams that are used for determining student placement, progress, and achievement. The screening tests are part of the ELI application process and are different from the placement tests that are taken during ELI Student Orientation (ESO). During ELI Student Orientation,...
ELI Student Handbook (intranet) Student Affairs and Academic Support Student FERPA Guide ELI Information Release Form (PDF) Office of the Registrar ELI Pre-registration Form (PDF) Tutor Referral Form - English Teachers (PDF) Tutor Referral Form - American Sign Language (ASL) or CCC Teachers (PDF) Tutor...
Gallaudet University is the first university in the world geared toward a deaf student body. The English Language Institute (ELI) here at Gallaudet University uses American Sign Language as the language of instruction. Deaf and hard of hearing people are welcome to apply to the...
In the fall semester of 1986, the English Language Institute was informally established by the then International Center on Deafness (ICD), which was located in HMB 117. Mr. Eli Savanick, the Director of ICD, hired a teacher, Mr. Wayne Smith, and along with an assistant...
View the SLOs for Levels IV to VI below. LEVEL IV Reading: Read English at the low intermediate level as adapted from the ACTFL / CEFR proficiency guidelines. Vocabulary: Acquire vocabulary knowledge consisting of at least 2320 words. Writing: Write English at the low intermediate...
The ELI program provides two semesters of instruction (fall/spring) for returning and new students; and a six-week session in the summer for current students only. The ELI program provides 18 to 25 hours of instruction per week during the fall/spring semester. International ELI students are...
Lecturer II
Lecturer I
All English Language Institute (ELI) students in level IV and above have the option of signing up for speech therapy at the Hearing and Speech Center on campus for a fee, which may be covered by health insurance. The Hearing and Speech Center can be contacted at Contact regarding any questions about the speech therapy it offers.