View page in:
English
Japanese (日本語)
Korean (한국어)
Chinese (简体字)
Chinese (正體字)

• Good Reasons to study English at the UH Hilo ELI
• Sample Schedule
• ELI Courses
• Required Placement Tests
• Session Test Dates
• How to Apply

Faculty Advising for International Students

Exchange Students-Center for Global Education and Exchange

English Proficiency Test
for Students Who Are Not Native Speakers of English

International Student Association

Please send me information about the English Language Institute and the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

Contact the English Language Institute

Email:
pamalac@
hawaii.edu

Telephone:
+1 (808) 933-8855

Fax:
+1 (808) 933-8863

Mail:
English Language Institute
University of Hawaii at Hilo
200 W. Kawili St.
Hilo, HI 96720-4091
USA

English Language Institute

UHH Home > Academics

Welcome to the English Language Institute (ELI) at the University of Hawaii at Hilo!

The ELI offers rigorous academic preparation courses for students who would like to study in a degree program at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Our dedicated teachers all have advanced degrees and many years of teaching experience.

ELI students enjoy the same privileges as other UH Hilo students including access to student housing, campus bookstore, library, computer labs, cafeteria, health services, student activities, and campus clubs.

ELI students also have the opportunity to take selected academic courses for credit while studying English. (See sample schedule)

If you meet other admission requirements, you do not need a TOEFL score to be accepted to UH Hilo as a General Studies – ELI student. You will be tested before classes begin. Based on your test results, you may need to take English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or a combination of ESL and academic courses.

After you successfully complete all advanced level courses and exit the ELI, you may continue your studies in a major of your choice.

"I would recommend the ELI. It is a good place to improve your English if you are not a native speaker. The classes helped me very much, reading especially. Now I'm not afraid of reading textbooks in other classes."

--Chun-Che Chiu, Taiwan

"All the techniques which I learned in the ELI have helped me in other classes. For example, in a history class, the teacher didn't use the blackboard. He just gave lectures. I had to listen to the lectures and take notes. Thanks to the training in the ELI, I succeeded that semester."

--Kaori Asai, Japan

"The teachers didn't just teach me how to study English; they also taught me a lot of skills for academic courses, such as how to take good notes and how to write good summaries that helped me get an "A" in my academic courses. Even though I am not a native speaker, I'm not afraid to take academic courses and speak in a class with native speakers."

--Wei Yu Chen, Taiwan

 

Good Reasons to study English at the UH Hilo English Language Institute

• Rigorous academic preparation courses for University study
• Experienced teachers with advanced degrees
• Multimedia language lab
• Self-paced reading lab
• Opportunity to take academic courses for credit
• Access to all University facilities such as the library, dining room, health center, computer lab, The Learning Center, athletic complex, and dormitories
• Internet and e-mail access
• Advising on immigration, academics and student life
• Opportunity to speak English and make friends by taking academic classes, participating in student activities, and joining campus clubs
• On-campus dormitories with 24-hour security
• Beautiful, safe location with warm weather all year
• No TOEFL requirement

"The ELI is difficult but fun. Teachers and students are eager and cooperative."

--Kyoko Nozaki, Japan

"The professors are always kind and take time to explain the lessons in detail. The professors and students are very friendly and open minded. I stay in the dorm which has many programs such as trips and marine sports. I also take part in the International Student Association activities. The ELI is very intensive and demanding, but useful. "

--Tae-Kyung Ha, South Korea

Sample Schedule (High Intermediate Level)

"I would recommend the ELI to my friends because you can make a lot of friends from different countries and build a good English foundation."

--Tzu-I Hsia, Taiwan

"The best part of the ELI is the teachers who are friendly and the classmates who come from different countries."

--Asuka Iwai, Japan

ELI Courses

• Students advance from one level to the next based on course performance and proficiency test scores.
• ELI courses carry administrative credit, but do not count towards graduation from UH Hilo.
• The ELI does not offer beginning level courses.

Advanced Level

High Intermediate Level

Intermediate Level

Required Placement Tests

All non-native speakers of English are required to take the following tests before registering for classes. Test scores will be reviewed by UH Hilo faculty and recommendations for coursework will be provided during a follow-up session.

• English Proficiency Test: Listening, Grammar, Reading, and Vocabulary
• Writing Placement Exam: Writing

Session Test Dates

Alternative format available by contacting the ADA Coordinator. UH Hilo is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.

How to Apply

To apply to the ELI, please follow the procedures indicated in the Entrance Requirements for International Students.