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International Students in class

English Classes and Tutoring

Below are some organizations which offer English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and tutoring. Feel free to contact the organizations below for any assistance needed.

English Language Institute (ELI)

UB’s English Language Institute (ELI) offers UB undergraduate and graduate students both credit and non-credit coursework and opportunities to develop the language skills necessary to succeed in their academic programs. For more information, please visit the ELI in Baldy Hall 320, North Campus. Their phone number is 645-2077 and their website is http://www.buffalo.edu/eli.

English as a Second Language Course Listing

Fall and Spring Semester

  • ESL 407 Written English (3.0 credits)
  • ESL 408 Written English (3.0 credits)
  • ESL 411 Advanced Spoken English (3.0 credits)
  • ESL 412 Advanced Spoken English (3.0 credits)
  • ESL 512 Communication for International Teaching Assistants (3.0 credits)

ELI's Listening Lab

Fall, Spring and Summer Semester

The Listening Lab is available for both listening and pronunciation practice at no charge to UB international students. It is located in Clemens Hall 3 and is open Tuesdays - Fridays from 3:00 - 5:30 p.m.

ELI's Chat Room

Fall and Spring Semester

The Chat Room is a face-to-face conversation program offered to UB international students at no charge. Two international students meet with a UB undergraduate student for one hour between 2:30 - 4:30. Chat Room appointments are made weekly and are limited to one appointment per week.

ELI's Evening Program

Fall and Spring Semester

Three non-credit, non-standard courses are offered under the ELI's Evening Program.

  • Advanced Communication:  Mondays and Wednesdays,
    7:10 - 8:30 p.m. 12 weeks
  • Advanced Writing & Grammar:  Tuesdays and Thursdays,
    7:10 - 8:30 p.m. 12 weeks
  • American English Pronunciation I:  Mondays and Wednesdays,
    5:30 - 6:50 p.m. 7 weeks
  • American English Pronunciation II:  Tuesdays and Thursdays,
    5:30 - 6:50 p.m. 7 weeks

ELI's Intensive English Program

Fall, Spring and Summer Semester

The Intensive English Program (IEP) is a non-credit, full-time program of English language training. Students are enrolled for 25 hours per week of instruction in reading, writing, grammar, speaking and listening. Students usually enroll in the IEP prior to beginning a full-time undergraduate or graduate program of study.

For further information about the ELI, please contact, Kathy Curtis, Associate Director, at elibuffalo@buffalo.edu. The ELI is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Baldy Hall 320, North Campus.

Quick Speak English Program

The Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo and Erie County, Inc. offer the Quick Speak English Program. This program is designed to meet the specific needs of graduate students and professionals. It will help you to gain comfort using English in social, academic and business settings while improving your English writing ability and understanding of American phrases, culture and customs.

Quick Speak will match you with your own private tutor for weekly individualized lessons in English as a Second Language. For $600 for 12 months (or $350 for 6 months), you will receive:

  • up to 2 hours per week of personal tutoring
  • access to books, learning software and multimedia instruction
  • use of editing resource (tutors available to help you with writing assignments, special writing labs offered periodically)
  • weekly conversation classes (held at the Literacy Volunteers office)
  • information about American culture through specialized seminars (including information about the Buffalo-Niagara region)

For further information about Quick Speak, call 876-8991.