Classes are small, with most ELI classes having 16 or fewer participants. Classes prepare you for success in an American college or university and introduce you to U.S. culture and university life. Classes meet 20 hours a week, Monday through Thursday.

You will be assigned to one of five curriculum levels, based on your placement test results. ELI participants must spend additional time preparing and studying for their classes, and those who have successfully completed one level will be promoted to the next level.

Classes in the Intensive program begin at 9 a.m. and run through 3 p.m.

Listening and Speaking

Communicative activities will help you improve your comprehension and expression of spoken English and reinforce vocabulary and pronunciation.

Reading

Courses focus on building vocabulary, reading, and study skills with level-appropriate materials.

Composition

You will learn and practice techniques that will help you develop the writing skills necessary for academic success.

Grammar

English grammar is taught and practiced through a variety of communicative and functional activities.

Vocabulary

This course helps ELI participants to expand their academic English vocabulary.

Certificates

At the end of each term, certificates will be awarded to all participants who complete the ELI program and are ready to apply for regular admission to a college or university.

The certificate of program completion from the English Language Institute at Georgia Gwinnett College is recognized by the University System of Georgia as proof of English proficiency and fulfills the English proficiency requirement to be admitted to bachelor's degree programs at Georgia Gwinnett College.

ELI Session Calendars

Spring 2025, Session A

  • Jan. 2: Orientation and placement testing
  • Jan. 6: Session begins
  • Jan. 10: Last day for first-week withdrawal
  • Jan. 20: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Jan. 30: Mid-session progress verification
  • Feb. 27: Session ends

Spring 2025, Session B

  • March 6: Orientation and placement testing
  • March 10: Session begins
  • March 14: Last day for first-week withdrawal
  • April 3: Mid-session progress verification
  • May 1: Session ends

Summer 2025

  • May 15: Orientation and placement testing
  • May 19: Session begins
  • May 23: Last day for first-week withdrawal
  • May 26: Memorial Day
  • June 5: Mid-session progress verification
  • June 19: Juneteenth
  • July 15: Session ends

Fall 2025, Session A

  • Aug. 7: Orientation and placement testing
  • Aug. 11: Session begins
  • Aug. 15: Last day for first-week withdrawal
  • Sept. 1: Labor Day
  • Sept. 8: Mid-session progress verification
  • Oct. 2: Session ends

Fall 2025, Session B

  • Oct. 9: Orientation and placement testing
  • Oct. 13: Session begins
  • Oct. 17: Last day for first-week withdrawal
  • Nov. 10: Mid-session progress verification
  • Nov. 25-28: Thanksgiving break
  • Dec. 11: Session ends

Spring 2026, Session A

  • Jan. 8: Orientation and placement testing
  • Jan. 12: Session begins
  • Jan. 16: Last day for first-week withdrawal
  • Jan. 19: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Feb. 9: Mid-session progress verification
  • March 5: Session ends

Spring 2026, Session B

  • March 12: Orientation and placement testing
  • March 16: Session begins
  • March 20: Last day for first-week withdrawal
  • April 13: Mid-session progress verification
  • May 7: Session ends

Summer 2026

  • May 14: Orientation and placement testing
  • May 18: Session begins
  • May 22: Last day for first-week withdrawal
  • May 25: Memorial Day
  • June 15: Mid-session progress verification
  • July 9: Session ends

Attendance

ELI participants must attend at least 85 percent of their classes and do the assigned work.

Cultural Experience

Full-time ELI participants enjoy many of the same privileges as GGC students, including access to the Student Center and recreational facilities. You are invited to participate in many social and cultural events such as banquets, cookouts and field trips to historic and cultural landmarks. The ELI has an activities coordinator that plans weekend trips and local activities.