Graduate Courses

ELI 521 - Writing for Academic Purposes I

14-week course offered in the Fall and Winter terms. ONLINE and In-person sections are available.

In this course you will learn the organizational patterns and strategies graduate students must master in order to write cohesive, coherent and convincing academic papers. This course may be right for you if you are a first or second year graduate student who is writing extensively in English for the first time, or if you are farther along in your graduate studies and are just beginning to write.

Course activities include:

• 4-6 short writing assignments, each highlighting one key element of a longer academic paper, such as introductions, extended definitions, process descriptions, data analyses, and commentaries
• Revision of written assignments based on the instructor feedback
• Online discussions
• Peer review
• Online versions of textbook exercises

(2 credits)

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ELI 522 - Research Paper Writing

14-week course offered in the Fall and Winter terms. Meets once a week for two hours.

Note: This advanced writing course is intended for students who have completed ELI 521 Academic Writing I or who have some significant experience as graduate writers in English.

In this course, you will refine and polish the skills you need in order to write research papers and master’s theses. You will improve the flow and coherence of your writing and learn about expectations regarding proper citation of sources. You will receive extensive feedback on your writing from your instructor and peers. This course may be right for you if you are a graduate student who has some significant experience writing academic English and have begun writing longer academic texts for classes or for publication. Students often take this course after taking ELI 521 or before taking ELI 620. 

Course activities include:

• Analysis of academic texts in your discipline to identify writing conventions you need to master
• 4-6 short writing assignments, culminating in a final research paper or project
• Revision of written assignments based on peer and instructor feedback
• Tasks from the textbook with accompanying class discussions
• Small group and partner activities

(2 credits)

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ELI 620 - Dissertation Writing and Writing for Publication I

14-week course offered in the Fall term. Meets once a week for two hours.

Permission of instructor required.

This course is designed for PhD students who are engaged in a major writing project as part of their program. It focuses on the academic genres that PhD students are expected to produces, such as:

• Papers for publication (abstracts, introductions, and discussions)
• Conference abstracts
• Manuscript reviews as well as correspondence with journal editors and reviewers

Participants develop the skills they need to handle complex writing tasks such as creating a research space, imposing order on previous work, maintaining a clear, consistent argument, writing to different audiences, and negotiating knowledge claims. Integral to the course are regular one-on-one consultations with the instructor.

(2 credits)

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ELI 621 - Dissertation Writing and Writing for Publication II

14-week course offered in the Winter term. Meets once a week for two hours. Permission of Instructor Required

Prerequisite: ELI 620 or Instructor Permission

In this course, PhD students who have completed ELI 620 and are engaged in a major writing project as a part of their program continue refining their writing in the academic genres that they are expected to produce, such as:

• Papers for publication (abstracts, introductions, and discussions)
• Book reviews
• Dissertation proposals
• Dissertation acknowledgements
• Texts needed for the job market

Participants refine their ability to handle complex writing tasks such as creating a research space, imposing order on previous work, maintaining a clear, consistent argument, writing to different audiences, and negotiating knowledge claims. Integral to the course are regular one-on-one consultations with the instructor.

(2 credits)

ELI 531 - Language and Communication

10-session course offered in the Fall term. Meets once a week for 90 minutes. 

Polish your interactive speaking skills to participate confidently and fluently in class discussions and other formal and informal speaking situations. Practice leading and participating in discussions and refine your ability to speak up and be heard in challenging, dynamic speaking situations.  Learn to express your ideas clearly, respond politely to opposing viewpoints, and clarify misunderstandings. 

Course activities include:

• In-class discussions
• Office hour role plays
• Listening assignments
• Interviews with community members

 (1 credit)

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ELI 532 - Understanding Spoken English

10-session course offered in the Fall and Winter terms. 

Have you ever wished that you were able to watch a film or TV show without subtitles, or that you could understand what's funny when everyone in the lab or the seminar room laughs at a joke?

In this course you will build your listening comprehension and confidence so that you can succeed in your academic, professional, and personal interactions with a diverse range of speakers in both formal and informal settings.  You might consider this course if you are a first or second year graduate student It might also be right for you if you are a more advanced student but have limited opportunities to use English in your daily life. Students often select this course after completing ELI 531 Language and Communication or ELI 533 Listening and Interactive Communication. Learn to follow natural speech on and off campus! 

Course activities include:

• Design of a personal listening plan, in consultation with instructor
• A weekly online listening journal 
• Pair and group listening activities
• Visiting speakers on topics of common interest to the class
• Discussions with American undergraduate U-M students

(1 Credit)

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ELI 533 - Interactive Listening and Communication

10-session course offered in the Winter term. Meets once a week for 90 minutes.

Become an active member of the U-M community and engage in important campus conversations with classmates and other U-M students. Practice active listening strategies. Explore slang and idiomatic expressions, especially those used by university students. Students often select this course after completing ELI 531 Language and Communication, ELI 536 Pronunciation I, or ELI 532 Understanding Spoken English.

Course activities include:  

• Engaging in small group discussions on topics of interest to U-M students
• Practicing conversational techniques and listening strategies for effective communication
• Attending on-campus events and interacting with other members of the U-M community
• Participating in Common Ground Workshops led by U-M student facilitators

(1 credit)

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ELI 534 - Discussion and Oral Argumentation

10-week course offered in the Fall and Winter terms. Meets once a week for 90 minutes.

In this course, you will develop the interactive speaking skills you need to effectively participate in seminar-style discussions and other formal group settings. You might consider this course if you are a relatively advanced, comfortable English speaker and want to continue to refine your ability to hold your own in challenging, dynamic speaking situations. Students often select this course after completing ELI 531 Language and Communication, ELI 538 Pronunciation in Context, and ELI 544 Academic Presentations. 

Course activities include:

• Practice using rhetorical strategies in multiple discussion formats, with feedback and evaluation
• Active listening exercises to participate in rapid exchanges
• Analyze recorded language used for rhetorical strategies
• 4-6 problem-solution discussions led by Instructor or fellow students
• Fluency-building activities 

(1 credit)

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NEW TITLE AS OF WINTER 2026!

ELI 535 - Professional Speaking for Career Success*

10-week course offered in the Fall and Winter terms. Meets once a week for 90 minutes.

Build confidence and fluency communicating effectively in professional  situations. Practice small talk, networking, group/team communication, elevator pitches, and job interviews. Develop effective listening strategies and non-verbal communication skills. 

This course is ideal for you if you are a graduate student preparing for your professional career. Students often take this course after taking ELI 531 or 536.

Course activities include:

• Small talk and conversation skills practice
• Group/team meeting discussion practice
• Networking simulation (e.g. career fair or Q & A after company presentation)
• At least two personal elevator pitches
• Practice in various interview types (e.g. face-to-face, group, phone, video conference)
• Interview question practice (e.g. situational, behavioral, difficult, wild card, etc.) and strategies for responding
• Mini presentation explaining technical content to a non-specialist audience

(1 credit)

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ELI 544 - Academic and Professional Presentations

14-week course offered in the Winter term. Meets once a week for two hours.

In this course you will learn to prepare and deliver successful presentations with organized content, smooth delivery, effective visuals, and appropriate nonverbal cues. You will also learn how to handle questions from the audience and manage interruptions. 

You might consider this course if you are a relatively fluent English speaker and are in a field in which frequent presentations are required. This course might also be right for you if you are preparing to go on the job market or present papers at academic conferences.

Students often take this course after Taking ELI 533 Interactive Listening and Communication, ELI 534 Discussion and Oral Argumentation, or ELI 538 Pronunciation in Context. 

Course activities include:

• 4-5  individual presentations which are video recorded for feedback and analysis
• Using rubrics to self-assess and assess peers’ presentations
• Work in small groups to collaborate and provide feedback on presentation preparation
• Analysis of transcripts of academic presentations for language and discourse features
• Self-reflections
• Exercises to develop strategies for recognizing your grammatical mistakes and correcting them

(2 Credits)

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ELI 601 - Speaking in Research Contexts

14-week course offered in the Winter term. Meets once a week for two hours.

In this course, you will learn to talk about your research and career objectives with different audiences and to present yourself as an aspiring professional in academic and social situations. You will receive extensive feedback on your speaking in regular one-on-one consultations with the instructor, as well as from your peers and other visiting speakers and professionals. You might consider this course, even if you are a native speaker of English, if you are an advanced PhD or master’s level student and are relatively comfortable speaking English, but feel you could benefit from additional practice. Students often take this course if they have previously taken ELI 534 Discussion and Oral Argumentation or ELI 544 Academic Presentations or if they are preparing to go on the job market.

Course activities include:

• 4-5  individual presentations which are video recorded for feedback and analysis
• Using rubrics to self-assess and assess peers’ presentations
• Practice job interviews (live or skype) with an outside interviewer
• Practice social talk in a simulated conference mixer with outside attendees
• Learning about etiquette in the workplace and socializing outside work

(2 credits)

ELI 541 - Culture and Communication in the US

PLEASE NOTE: This course was previously offered as a special topics course (ELI 592). Please see here for syllabuses from prior semesters: https://myumi.ch/pk2A1

Learn relevant cultural information for everyday conversations in the U.S. in order to communicate confidently and fluently on and off campus. Gain strategies to bridge cultural differences and discuss “challenging topics” such as cultural values and social justice issues. Practice socializing in English to feel more comfortable and confident in social interactions and making connections across cultures. Explore your own identity and culture(s) and become comfortable talking about your culture(s) in English.

Students often take this course after completing ELI 531 Language and Communication, ELI 533 Interactive Listening and Communication or ELI 534 Discussion and Oral Argumentation.

Course activities include:

• Weekly short discussions on topics in US culture
• Pair and group discussions
• Visiting speakers on topics in US culture
• Discussions with US-raised U-M students
  

(1 credit)

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ELI 560 - Understanding US Society and Institutions: Cultural Knowledge for Effective Communication

14-week course offered in the Fall and Winter terms. Meets once a week for two hours.

In this highly interactive discussion-based course, you will gain a greater understanding of US society, institutions and culture through an examination of some of the most pressing and contested issues facing contemporary American society today. You will examine how issues such as economic inequality, educational achievement disparities, and structural racism are being addressed by governments, nonprofit organizations, and civic engagement. You will enhance your language skills through interactions with guest speakers, in-class discussions, and presentations. You will also have an opportunity to participate in an optional one-day volunteer experience at a local organization. (2 credits) 

This course is ideal for you if you want to learn more about American society and you would like to refine your interactive speaking and listening skills. Students often take this course after completing ELI 531 Language and Communication, ELI 533 Interactive Listening and Communication or ELI 534 Discussion and Oral Argumentation.

Course activities include:

• Participating in class discussions on the assigned readings and videos
• Interacting with invited guests from local community organizations
• Completing two writing assignments
• Completing on-line interactive activities with classmates
• Giving a presentation on a topic of your choice
• (Optional) participating in a one-day community-service experience at a local non-profit organization

(2 credits)

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ELI 561 - Community-Engaged Language Practicum for International Graduate Students

14-week coure offered in Winter terms. Includes class meetings and service experience placements in the local community. 

In this course, by volunteering at a local community organization and reflecting on your experiences in class, you will improve your ability to communicate in English while you learn more about some of the most pressing social issues facing members of the local community. Through formal and informal interactions with staff and clients at your placement, you will also learn firsthand how local community organizations are addressing these issues. These interactions at your community placement will enable you to further refine your communication skills.  

This course is a good choice if you want to improve your English speaking and listening skills and learn more about the local community and US culture. Students often take this course after completing ELI 533 Interactive Listening and Communication, ELI 534 Discussion and Oral Argumentation, or ELI 560 Language and Culture in Context: Community-Engaged Learning for International Graduate Students.

Course activities include:

• Volunteering approximately 2-3 hours per week in a community placement
• Reflecting on your experience in class discussions and written assignments
• Giving a presentation on your community placement
• Participating in discussions with invited guests
• Interviewing a site placement staff member or volunteer and writing a summary report
• Discussing issues related to volunteerism, charitable giving, and service learning in the US and cross-culturally

(2 credits)