English Language Institute

• Founded in 1982
• A friendly, medium-sized program of about 50 students
• 4-5 levels of instruction
• Average class size is 12
• 20 class-hours per week
• Experienced teachers have Masters Degrees in Linguistics, TESOL, Education, English, a foreign language, or related field
• All teachers have experience living and teaching abroad
• Easy to meet your teachers outside of class
• Easy to meet American students on campus
• Conversation partners
• American tutors
• Auditing Regular Classes
• Field trips and parties
• Easy to see an advisor
• Advanced ESL classes earn Pacific University credit
• ELI Transition Program lets you mix ESL and undergraduate-level classes
• Balance of general English and academic English classes
• No TOEFL score required for admission
• Official TOEFL given 4-6 times per year
• Scholarships available
• Gymnasium, swimming pool, sports fields, library, 24-hour computer lab, tennis courts, health center, counseling center, student clubs and intramural sports teams available to all ELI students

ESL Scholarships

Pacific University offers one ELI scholarship each session for a currently enrolled student. To receive a scholarship, you must have already studied two 7-week terms in the ELI with perfect grades (4.0 on a 0-4 scale). The winner will be picked randomly from all qualified students who apply. If you win this scholarship, you can study one ELI session, full time, with no charge for ESL course tuition.

What is the ELI Transition Program?

This is our "ESL BRIDGE PROGRAM." You should choose this Program if you want to enter a 4-year degree program at Pacific University after ESL but don't have enough ENGLISH yet. It is a special program that helps you move step-by-step, from ESL into your degree program. The Transition program lets you take Freshman classes, for Pacific University credit, while you are still a full-time ESL student. It prepares you to succeed in the undergraduate program.

We also have a full-time General ESL program if you don't want to enter a 4-year degree program at Pacific University.

Who Can Join the ELI Transition Program?

If you have TOEFL iBT 53 (cBT 152, paper TOEFL 475) or more, you can become an ELI Transition Student. You can take 3 different kinds of classes, all at the same time.

First, you will take ESL CLASSES. You can get up to 6 Pacific University credits for these classes. Your classmates are other international students.

Second, you will take ELI TRANSITION CLASSES. These are special ESL classes that teach you how to succeed in an American-style university classroom. You will learn about student-teacher communication, college research and writing and working on group projects. You can take one ELI Transition Class per semester. You can get up to 12 Pacific University credits for these classes. Your classmates are other international students.

Finally, you can take 1 or 2 regular, UNDERGRADUATE CLASSES with American students for university credit. If your TOEFL score is iBT 61-69 (cBT 177-192, paper TOEFL 500-524), we will give you an American assistant for this class. Your assistant will join the class
with you and will help you understand the material. If your TOEFL score is iBT 70-78 (cBT 193-212, paper TOEFL 525-549), you will take these classes without an assistant. You can get up to 8 Pacific University credits per semester for these classes. Your classmates are American Freshman students.

After you reach iBT 79 (cBT 213, paper TOEFL 550), you can leave the ELI Transition Program and take undergraduate classes full-time, without ESL.

You can earn a maximum of 20 Pacific University credits in the ELI TRANSITION PROGRAM. All these credits can be used toward graduation.