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 required to be enrolled for 18 hours of instruction to be considered active students by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regulations.
The English Language Institute follows the undergraduate schedule for the academic year with some exceptions, which are listed below.
- Testing Weeks (fall/spring/summer)
- Student Awards Day (spring)
Reminder: All ELI Students must complete business registration before they can attend any ELI classes.
If they fail to complete business registration, they cannot attend classes, and if they are not in class, they will be marked absent.
For international students with F-1 and J-1 visas, absences will be reflected in their immigration status.
Fall Semester
The fall semester begins in late August and ends in mid-December. It consists of sixteen weeks with a Thanksgiving holiday break in mid or late November.
Spring Semester
The spring semester begins in mid to late January and ends in mid-May. It consists of sixteen weeks with a week long Spring Break in mid-March.
Summer Sessions
The ELI program may elect to provide English Summer School in mid-May through June for current students only. New students are not accepted.
2025-2026 ELI Academic Calendar
| Fall 2025 | |
|---|---|
|
Aug 18 |
Arrival Day for New ELI Students (International) |
|
Aug 19 |
Arrival Day for New ELI Students (Domestic) |
|
Aug 20-22 |
ELI Student Orientation (Required for all new ELI students) |
|
Aug 23 |
All residence halls open at 10 a.m. for RETURNING students |
|
Aug 25 |
Classes begin |
|
Aug 25 |
Late Business Registration begins (fee charged) |
|
Aug 29 |
Last day for Business Registration |
|
Sept 1 |
Labor Day Holiday (no classes) |
|
Sept 26 |
Final payment for Fall 2025 charges due (charges must be paid in full in order to register for Spring 2026 courses) |
|
Oct 6-10 |
Midterm week |
|
Nov 24-28 |
Fall Break (No classes during the week. University open Monday–Wednesday) |
|
Dec 8 |
Classes end |
|
Dec 10-12 |
Testing Week |
|
Dec 13 |
All residence halls close at noon and Winter Break begins |
|
Dec 25-Jan 2 |
Winter Break (University closed) |
| Spring 2026 | |
|---|---|
|
Jan 13-14 |
Arrival Day for New ELI Students |
|
Jan 15-17 |
ELI Student Orientation (Required for all new ELI students) |
|
Jan 18 |
All residence halls open at 10 a.m. for RETURNING students |
|
Jan 19 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (no classes) |
|
Jan 20 |
Classes begin |
|
Mar 2-6 |
Midterm Week |
|
March 16-20 |
Spring Break |
|
May 4 |
Classes end |
|
May 6-8 |
Testing Week |
|
May 8 |
ELI Student Awards Day |
|
May 9 |
All residence halls close at noon |
|
May 15 |
Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement exercises |
| Summer 2026 | |
|---|---|
|
May 18 – June 26 |
ELI Summer School (for returning/current students only; no new students) |
Contact
- English Language Institute
- HMB | E253
- click to show email
- (202) 651-5721
- (202) 250-2606
