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OverviewSince 1979, the English Language Training Institute (ELTI) has been serving international students by providing quality English language instruction in a safe, friendly academic environment. International students planning to attend U.S. universities or colleges in the United States will find the ELTI committed to helping them fit into the UNC Charlotte community through several means:
UNC CharlotteA comprehensive state university with approximately 25,000 students, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte is located on a 950-acre tract of land just inside the city limits of Charlotte. Rolling hills, forests and small lakes combine with modern facilities and easy access to Charlotte to produce a pleasant, stimulating environment. University Research Park and several shopping centers are located near the campus. UNC Charlotte is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Colleges and Universities. The University offers about 90 fields of undergraduate instruction, as well as more than 60 graduate-level programs and several doctoral programs, in seven colleges: Arts and Sciences, Architecture, Business Administration, Education and Allied Professions, Engineering, Information Technology, and Nursing. Professional programs in all colleges are nationally accredited. International students at the University number more than 950 and represent over 70 countries. Several international student organizations and the International Club help students feel at home. The Office of International Programs at UNC Charlotte has on staff both a director of international studies and an international student advisor. (For more information on UNC Charlotte see the UNC Charlotte Home Page)CharlotteWith over one million residents, the Charlotte metropolitan area is located about midway between Atlanta, Georgia, and Richmond, Virginia, and is within a day's drive of Washington, D.C. and Orlando, Florida. The growth of Charlotte/Douglas International Airport has helped make Charlotte a national transportation center, and with two of the nation's largest banks based in Charlotte, the city is the third largest banking center in the United States. The addition of two professional sports teams NBA Bobcats and NFL Panthers) has brought Charlotte national attention as one of the most dynamic cities in the United States. The city offers many cultural and educational resources, including art and natural science museums, and theater and music programs throughout the year. The Blue Ridge Mountains to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east are other attractions only short distances from Charlotte. Charlotte has a mild climate with average temperatures ranging between 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in the summer and 43 degrees F (6 degrees C) in the winter. The sun shines an average of 233 days a year. Rainfall averages 43 inches a year. Light snow falls two or three times during the winter.
Faculty & StaffThe ELTI faculty consists of instructors with native proficiency in English who are highly trained in language teaching and experienced in helping international students adapt to their new surroundings. Core faculty act as level team coordinators to ensure a high quality curriculum, and faculty and staff help students with transportation and housing when they arrive in Charlotte, and then later with health, finances and other matters. The director advises students regarding their academic plans. The ELTI program also issues weekly announcements of activities and events. The international student advisor assists students with government and immigration documents.
CurriculumThe ELTI curriculum contains integrated skill instruction and practice, with seven full-time proficiency levels and one part-time level (for very advanced students also taking UNCC courses). While the purpose of all levels is to prepare students to succeed in university study, lower levels focus on English for adaptation to U.S. culture; upper levels strengthen academic English for those students who will enter a U.S. university. Advanced students receive instruction in TOEFL preparation, professional, and academic research skills, and public speaking skills.At all levels, students use the most current texts and materials. ELTI students attend classes 20 hours per week, Monday through Thursday (Fridays also, in summer), morning through early afternoon. Semesters average 14 weeks in length. The average length of study in ELTI is two to three terms. All ELTI classes are held in University classroom facilities. Qualified students in advanced levels, with the recommendation of the ELTI faculty, are allowed to take University courses for credit in addition to their English courses. Students who have completed one full term in the ELTI may participate in this program. ELTI students are encouraged to use the ELTI computer lab, the University Writing Center, the Learning Center and the Language Resource Center. The Writing Center offers individual tutoring to students who need assistance with their writing. The ELTI lab and the Learning Center provides help in taking graduate exams (GRE, GMAT, MAT), individual learning stations to aid students in developing reading comprehension and grammar, academic tutoring in University content courses and TOEFL review. The Language Resource Center offers modern multimedia language support. Cultural OrientationAll new students are given an orientation to the ELTI program and the University. In addition, many ELTI classes participate in exchanges with University classes, in which ELTI students meet University students and discuss various topics. Students may also participate in programs through the Office of International Programs, such as Host Families (a friendship program, not a live-in one), Conversation Partners, and the International Club.
Placement and PromotionAll new students are tested to determine their listening, speaking, grammar, reading and writing skills in English. All ELTI students are evaluated twice each term--at midterm and at the end of each session. Placement for the following term depends on the final test scores, grades and teacher recommendations.All students can receive certificates of completion when they finish their ELTLI program. Top students (with all A grades or perfect attendance) also receive certificates and rewards after the completion of each term.
TestingELTI offers the institutional TOEFL test twice each term. In addition, the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) is offered at UNCC each semester.Charlotte has testing centers for the Internet-based TOEFL (IBT) and for the International English Language Testing System exam (IELTS). Results of both tests are accepted by UNC Charlotte and most other institutions in the US and around the world. UNC Charlotte currently requires 507 (PBT), 64 (IBT), 6.0 (IELTS). Students who complete level 7 of ELTI with satisfactory grades are allowed to enter UNCC with slightly lower scores on these exams. Admission to ELTITo apply to ELTI the applicant should send the following items:
Conditional Admission to UNC-CharlotteStudents who are academically admissible to undergraduate programs but who do not yet have required English proficiency test scores may apply for conditional admission status. The student can enroll first in ELTI, then once a satisfactory TOEFL (or IELTS or MELAB) score is obtained, students may enter the University the following term. Students who need a conditional admission I-20 immigration document for visa purposes should contact the ELTI Office for more information.
Housing and MealsELTI students may apply to live on campus in a variety of residence halls. Both men and women may live on campus; however, no married housing is available. For those living on-campus, there are a variety of meal options available. On-campus housing is often difficult to obtain; students who apply for and receive such housing must pay rather large penalty payments if they fail to enroll or to inform the University housing office that they will not move into the residence hall they've been assigned.For students not living in the residence halls, numerous apartment complexes are located near the University on within short walking distances or on public bus routes. Furniture may be rented. The ELTI staff will help students with housing arrangements.
Health ServicesELTI students can be treated at the Student Health Center, which provides comprehensive outpatient medical care on campus. Physicians and support staff are on duty Monday through Friday at convenient times, and during evening hours and weekends registered nurses are available for assistance and referral. Seriously ill students and emergencies are referred to nearby hospitals or other appropriate in-care facilities. A medical immunization form is sent to accepted students and must be completed and returned to the ELTI Office. North Carolina law requires that students be immunized against diptheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, and rubella. UNC Charlotte also recommends testing for tuberculosis.
Accident and Hospital InsuranceMajor medical care in the United States is very expensive. To protect students in case of illness or accident demanding major medical attention, UNCC requires all students to have adequate health insurance. Proof of health insurance coverage in the United States must be presented at registration or insurance must be purchased from the UNC-approved plan. Information concerning accident and health insurance is available from ELTI.
Arrival and Check-inThe ELTI Office will arrange for someone to meet each student at the airport or bus station upon arrival when students follow instructions (sent upon acceptance).Tuition and fees are paid at registration. Students may arrive a few days before the starting date, but students arriving after the placement test date will be charged a late testing fee. No students will be admitted after the second week of classes.
Special ProgramsUNCC also designs curricula to meet the needs of sponsoring agencies. The Office of Intercultural Outreach has designed and presented several successful short-term programs in teacher training, U.S. culture, and business/technical English. Agencies who are interested in such programs are asked to contact the ELTI director who will inform the Intercultural Outreach program.
ELTI CalendarSummer 2010: May 25 - Aug. 5 Fall 2010: August 26 - December 7 Spring 2011: January 13 - April 28 For More InformationSee the ELTI application for how to apply.For more information about the English Language Training Institute at UNC Charlotte, please contact: ELTI Director Office of International Programs UNC Charlotte Charlotte, NC 28223 USA Telephone: 704-687-7742 Fax: 704-687-3168 E-mail: elti@uncc.edu |