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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 20,000 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 70 fields of undergraduate instruction, as well as more than 35 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 700 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 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 six proficiency levels. 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 or college. 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 20-24 hours per week, Monday through Friday, morning through early afternoon. Semesters average 12 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, 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 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 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. Orientation to the U.S. American culture is an important part of the Communication Skills curriculum. 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. ELTI courses carry no academic credit; however, students who meet the ELTI requirements of attendance and academic performance receive a Certificate of Achievement. In addition, those students who maintain an A/B scholastic average during a term receive a Director's Commendation for Academic Excellence.
TestingUNC Charlotte is an official testing center for both the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). These tests are offered periodically throughout the academic year. In addition, ELTI administers the Institutional TOEFL to ELTI students once or twice each semester. Results of the Institutional TOEFL are accepted by UNC-Charlotte, but not usually by other institutions.Admission to ELTITo apply to ELTI the applicant should send the following items:
Conditional Admission to UNC-CharlotteELTI students who are academically admissible to undergraduate programs may apply for conditional admission status. Upon submission of a satisfactory TOEFL or MELAB score, students may enter the University the following term. Completion of ELTI does not guarantee admission to the University. 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, including a new international hall that emphasizes cross-cultural living. Both men and women may live on campus; however, no married housing is available. For students not living in the residence halls, numerous apartment complexes are located near the University on public bus routes. Furniture may be rented. The ELTI staff will help students with housing arrangements. ELTI students may purchase University meal tickets, or they may purchase individual meals at the University cafeterias on a daily basis.
Health ServicesELTI students can be treated at the Brocker 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 University Memorial Hospital or other appropriate in-care facilities. A medical history 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, ELTI 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 ELTI-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. An arrival information form is sent to accepted students and should be returned to the ELTI Office. 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 ProgramsELTI also designs curricula to meet the needs of sponsoring agencies. ELTI and the Office of International Programs have 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.
ELTI CalendarSpring 2008: January 8 - April 244 Summer 2008: May 27 - August 12 Fall 2008: August 26 - December 11 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 |