Courses and Resources for International Scholars, Faculty, and Postdocs

The ELI offers courses that enable U-M international scholars, researchers, faculty, staff and postdocs to increase their confidence using English and thus maximize their professional contributions during their time at the University of Michigan and beyond. These courses provide instruction in strategies for academic writing and for speaking in both formal and informal settings.

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Registration Now Open:

Winter 2025 Course

IS 502 Academic Communications Seminar

A 10-session course for U-M international scholars, researchers, faculty, staff, and postdocs. Offered In Person.

Meets: Wednesdays 12:00 - 2:00pm (ET) in person, 955 Weiser Hall

Dates: January 22 - April 2, 2025 (10 sessions. No meeting on March 5, U-M Spring Break)

Required Course Fee: $1300*

VIEW WINTER 2025 COURSE SYLLABUS

This course provides scholars, researchers, faculty, and other academic professionals with communication strategies for effective academic speaking and writing. Course topics include: 

• Public speaking and presenting
• Participating in academic discussion
• Academic and professional email
• Academic vocabulary development
• Pronunciation

All participants receive extensive individualized instructor feedback.

REGISTER HERE

*Note: There is a required $1300 course fee for all participants. We regret that ELI is unable to provide discounts or fee waivers. Auditors or visitors are not permitted. Thank you for your understanding. 

Some U-M departments/sponsors cover all or part of this fee. Please check with your departmental administrator - ELI does not have information about this. 

For more information, please email: ELIScholarResources@umich.edu

Speaking and Writing Clinics

International Scholars, Researchers, Faculty, Staff and Postdocs also have limited access to one-on-one support in ELI's Language Clinics. The English Language Institute's Language Clinics provide international graduate students, GSIs, scholars, faculty, and staff with one-on-one language and academic support. Clinics are staffed by ELI lecturers or by GSIs working under close supervision of experienced faculty. International Scholars, Researchers, Faculty, Staff and Postdocs are allowed one appointment per clinic, per term in ELI's Graduate Writing and Graduate Speaking Clinics.

Conversation Circles

International Scholars,Researchers, Faculty, Staff and Postdocs are welcome to participate in ELI Conversation Circles. Conversation Circles are a volunteer program sponsored by the English Language Institute (ELI) which was started more than thirty years ago to promote intercultural exchange and to provide international students and scholars at U-M with opportunities to practice English in an informal, casual setting.