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Mission Statement

ELI Mission Statement

The ELI’s mission is to teach and serve English language learners, provide support to the University, and contribute to the profession of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Non-Credit English Classes

  • Provide high-quality, non-credit courses in English for speakers of other languages from abroad and the local international community who want to improve their English for academic, professional, or personal reasons
  • Present opportunities for students to experience life on an American university campus and to interact with members of the University campus and the local community

University of Pittsburgh Support

  • Offer teacher training and internship opportunities for matriculated students in University programs
  • Share expertise regarding University-related endeavors that involve English language learners and TESOL

Field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

  • Participate in and contribute to the development of the field of English for speakers of other languages, especially in areas of classroom instruction, second language learning and acquisition, curriculum design, program structure, and administrative practices
  • Support opportunities for professional development

To accomplish this mission, the faculty and staff of the ELI are dedicated to adhering to professional standards in the field.

[The ELI Mission Statement is reviewed each year in the spring term and updated as necessary.]