The English Language Institute
offers special one-on-one classes for business employees and managers who
need to improve their English language skills for their professions.
We take pride in our program because it not only develops English skills but
also develops an understanding of how to do business in the United States.
We welcome you to our program.
The Business English Program is designed to provide trainees with a broad English skill background along with the specific business English skills required to meet their professional goals. Trainees (or company officials) are interviewed to determine the precise skills needed for job performance (such as conversational English, presentation delivery, business writing, cross-cultural communication, vocabulary building, accent reduction, and so on). Trainees are tested to determine the level of English they have mastered. Instruction is then targeted to the individual trainee’s needs.
Trainees usually have a limited time period to devote to English study, so we offer a concentrated course. Trainees take four intensive English program classes to help with their general English integration. These classes include instruction in listening and speaking, reading writing and grammar.
Trainees also take a combination of one-on-one classes which are decided upon by the trainee and the ELI Director (or by the trainee’s company and the ELI Director). The two types of one-on-one classes are training classes and business laboratory classes. The training class targets specific skills and content desired by the trainee. The instructor works with the trainee for one hour using textbooks and other material that support language development. The business laboratory class is designed by an instructor to support the trainee’s other classes and integrate language skills using available English language software and other media. The trainee works in the ELI computer lab or language lab (or both), following the schedule prepared by the instructor. The instructor is available for questions and re-direction, but does not spend the entire hour with the trainee.
Intensive English classes begin six times a year. See the calendar for more information. Business trainees may enter intensive classes at times other than calendar start dates, but must have approval from the Director.
A typical schedule for a business trainee might cover a three-week period and look something like the Monday through Friday schedule below:
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Intensive English program (4 classes)
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. lunch
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. one-on-one training class
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. one-on-one training class
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. business laboratory class
A trainee's Business English Program is typically composed of two or three types of classes. See the costs for each type below:
Intensive English Program
A trainee on an international visa pays $151.00 per week for intensive English program classes plus one $60.00 application fee. A trainee who is a resident or citizen pays $125.00 per week for intensive English program classes plus one $40.00 application fee. Trainees must purchase books for their classes, which could cost as much as $150.00.
One-on-One Training Class
One-on-one training classes at the university cost $100.00 per hour. Books are included. Classes are typically scheduled for one or two hours per day, five days a week.
(Some companies in the Houston area require training at the job site. Such training costs $150.00 per hour, including books.)
One-on-One Business Laboratory Class
One-on-one business laboratory classes cost $60.00 per hour. Classes are typically scheduled for one hour per day, five days a week.
Sample Program Cost
An example of business English tuition has been calculated below to give you an idea about costs. In this example, a trainee on an international visa is taking a two-week course, composed of intensive English program classes, a one-hour training class and a one-hour business laboratory class.
Intensive English program cost Application Fee Books for Intensive English program One-on-One Training Class (10 hours, at one hour per day) Business Laboratory Class (10 hours, at one hour per day) Example Tuition Total: Refunding is dependent upon the nature of the program. Please contact the ELI Director (contact information below) to learn more about refunds for your training.
The ELI can provide cultural and professional excursions to accompany English programming for employees sent from companies abroad. Excursions vary from in-city fieldtrips to day-trips to nearby areas of interest. Contact the ELI Director for possible destinations and pricing.
The ELI provides English training for employee groups. This can be accomplished at the university both for companies sending employees from abroad and for companies in the Houston area, or on-site locally at the Houston-area company.
Typical programs focus upon such skills as accent reduction, conversation, business writing, or general English. Programs can be developed for the factory worker through the executive level of trainee. A content that reflects the business where the trainee is employed is used to promote language competence in the trainee's profession.
Companies or persons interested in the business program may contact the ELI Director:
Ms. Gail Kellersberger
Telephone: 1-713-221-8047
E-mail: kellersbergerg@uhd.edu