Academics
Areas of Study

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.

2024-2025 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 1

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 2025

May 18 – June 26

ELI Summer School (for returning/current students only; no new students)

Contact Us

English Language Institute

HMB E253

(202) 250-2606

(202) 651-5721

Monday
9:00 am-5:00 pm
Tuesday
9:00 am-5:00 pm
Wednesday
9:00 am-5:00 pm
Thursday
9:00 am-5:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am-5:00 pm

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