- Graduate Students and Scholars
- Graduate Courses
- SUMMER EAP: Academic English for U-M Graduate Students
- Online Pre-Arrival Course: Preparing for Graduate Success
- Graduate Language Clinics
- Online Graduate ELI Course Sections for Winter 2025!
- International GSI Program
- Academic English Workshops
- Advising
- Courses and Resources for International Scholars, Faculty, and Postdocs
- Graduate Students and Scholars
- Graduate Courses
- SUMMER EAP: Academic English for U-M Graduate Students
- Online Pre-Arrival Course: Preparing for Graduate Success
- Graduate Language Clinics
- Online Graduate ELI Course Sections for Winter 2025!
- International GSI Program
- Academic English Workshops
- Advising
- Courses and Resources for International Scholars, Faculty, and Postdocs
The English Language Institute (ELI) offers a wide range of credit-bearing mini-courses for graduate students at the University of Michigan, regardless of discipline or level of English proficiency. ELI classes are small, interactive, and provide students with extensive one-on-one feedback.
- Open to graduate students in all U-M schools and colleges
- No extra course fees -- included in full-time tuition
- Courses are credit-bearing
- Graded Pass/Fail
- Grades appear on transcript but do not affect GPA
- Students should register via Wolverine Access
- In person and online options available
Writing
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)
Speaking & Listening
ELI 531 - Language and Communication
10-session course offered in the Fall term. Meets once a week for 90 minutes.
In this highly interactive course, you will increase your fluency, comfort, and confidence communicating with different types of English speakers in both formal and informal situations. You will learn to express your ideas clearly and fluently, respond effectively to opposing viewpoints, and clarify misunderstandings. This course is ideal for you if you are a graduate student in your first year and are living and studying in an English speaking environment for the first time. 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.
Course activities include:
- In-class discussions
- Online 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 actively engage in important campus conversations at U-M, such as those about DEI and anti-racism initiatives, with classmates and U-M undergraduate 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:
- Small group discussions on DEI-themed topics such as identity, communication, and race
- Practicing dialogic techniques and listening strategies for interacting on campus
- Attending on-campus DEI-themed events and interacting with other members of the UM community
- Participating in Common Ground Workshops led by U-M student facilitators
(1 credit)
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ELI 534 - Discussion and Oral Argumentation
14-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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ELI 535 - Professional Communication for Quantitative Fields
10-week course offered in the winter term. Meets once a week for 90 minutes.
In this highly interactive course, you will develop practical tools for communicating effectively in a variety of professional and academic situations. You practice small talk, networking, group/team communication, elevator pitches, and job interviews. You will develop effective listening strategies and non-verbal communication skills. Build confidence and fluency communicating on campus and beyond.
This course is ideal for you if you are a graduate student in a quantitative field (such as math, quantitative finance and risk management, applied economics, applied statistics, engineering) as you prepare 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)
Culture & Communication
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
In this class, you will learn to recognize the cultural background of everyday conversations in the US in order to communicate effectively in English. You will gain useful strategies to bridge cultural differences in order to discuss “challenging topics” like cultural values and social justice. You will practice socializing in English so that you feel more comfortable and confident in intercultural interactions. They learn how to make connections across cultures, talk about your culture(s) in English and explore your own identity and culture in relation to others so that you can participate in campus conversations about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
The course may be right for you if you are a graduate students in your second semester or beyond and are relatively comfortable speaking English, but feel that you sometimes lack the cultural knowledge to participate in conversations on and off campus. 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 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 readings or video viewing on topics in US culture
- Pair and group discussionsVisiting 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)
Grammar, Vocabulary, & Reading
ELI 510 - Academic Reading and Vocabulary Acquisition
14-week course offered in the Fall and Winter terms. Meets ASYNCHRONOUSLY Online, which means that you complete most of the work of the course on your own schedule, as long as you meet weekly deadlines.
In this course, you will develop strategies to read texts in your discipline quickly, efficiently, and accurately. You will learn to read analytically and critically and improve the range and sophistication of your vocabulary. Some students choose to work on the pronunciation of key discipline-specific terms. This course may be ideal for you if you are a busy graduate student with a heavy reading load. The course is customizable, which means that you can select the most useful course activities for you, with guidance from your instructor. For more information, please contact the instructor: pbogart@umich.edu
Course activities are tailored individually and may include:
- Online discussions
- Application of new reading strategies strategies to reading you’re already doing for coursework, research, or pleasur
- Exploration of vocabulary self-study websites and apps, including generative AI tools
- Short presentations or video blog posts
- Short written summaries and critiques
- Vocabulary feedback on writing you’re doing for other courses or in your research
- Optional in-person meetings with the instructor and other students
(2 credits)
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ELI 512 - Spoken and Written Grammar in Academic Contexts
14-week course offered in the Fall and Winter terms. Meets once a week for 90 minutes.
In this course, you will learn to make effective grammar choices to express yourself clearly and concisely and to connect your ideas logically and smoothly in writing and speaking. You will become aware of grammar usage typical in your own academic discipline. You will learn about helpful online tools to help you make grammar and usage choices. You will also identify and improve some of your own grammar trouble spots. This course may be ideal for you if you are a graduate student seeking to refresh your knowledge of English grammar in order to expand your options when speaking or writing.
Course activities include:
- In-class and online discussions
- Analysis of spoken language and written texts
- Verb tense analysis
- Clause combining and punctuation exercises
- Review the English article system
- Speaking games and role-plays
- Error identification and editing
(1 credit)
Pronunciation
ELI 536 - Pronunciation I
Mini-course offered in 7-week and 10-week versions
In this course, you will improve your English pronunciation so that others can understand you easily when you speak. We will review the English sound system, practice difficult sounds (like /r/ /l/ and the many confusing vowel sounds), and look at how to combine sounds in words, phrases, and short sentences with effective stress and intonation. You will identify your own individual pronunciation issues. This course is ideal for you if you feel your pronunciation negatively affects your ability to communicate with others. It may also be right for you if you would like to gain a more thorough understanding of the fundamentals of the English sound system.
Class activities include:
- Listening exercises to identify pronunciation features in real speech (e.g. TED Talks)
- Mimicking and practicing these features
- Video-recorded pronunciation practice with self-evaluation
- Practice of pronunciation features in conversation
- Introduction to a range of web-based self-study tools
- Informal presentations
- Developing discipline-specific pronunciation word list for your field of study
- Keeping a journal of real-life pronunciation experiences
(1 credit)
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ELI 538 - Pronunciation in Context
10-week course offered in the Fall and Winter terms. Meets once a week for 90 minutes.
In this course, you will improve your English pronunciation so that you can give clear, effective presentations that impress your listeners. You will work on stress, rhythm, and intonation in order to speak more fluently and comfortably. You will identify your own individual pronunciation issues and get individual coaching on tricky sounds. You will also receive extensive individualized feedback from the instructor. This course is ideal for you if your English is generally understandable, but you would like to speak with greater clarity and fluency. Students often take this course after ELI 536 or ELI 537, Pronunciation I or II, or before ELI 544 Academic Presentations.
Class activities include:
- Brief video-recorded presentations, such as
- Informal, personal stories
- Professional introductions
- Process descriptions
- Extended definitions
- Small group tasks targeting rhythm, intonation, and linking
- Review of difficult English consonants and vowels
- Role plays that focus on specific features of pronunciation
- Personal journal of real-life pronunciation experiences
- Self-evaluation assignments
(1 credit)
Course for Architecture & Urban Planning Students
ELI 530 - Academic Speaking and Writing for Architecture and Urban Planning
14-week course offered in the Fall term. Meets once a week for two hours.
This course is open to any graduate student in the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.
In this course, graduate students learn and practice effective presentation and discussion skills; presentations are videotaped and critiqued individually with the instructor. Participants also practice writing summaries and responses that are integrated with reading and discussion. Other topics covered include:
- Appropriate academic email
- Citing sources
- Plagiarism
- Resumés
- Vocabulary and culture (via a class blog)
Materials and assignments are drawn from current discipline-specific topics in other classes. For example, architecture students will present their current studio work (in progress) throughout the semester for feedback; and, readings are chosen from the topics covered in the core courses in Architecture and Urban Planning.
(2 credits)
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GSI Courses
For a complete list of GSI Courses, please see our International GSI Program page.