Intensive ESL classes at ILI

Now Offering: Live, Instructor-led In-Person or Online Classes

Learn English in person or online from a live instructor using Zoom!  You can choose which platform you prefer:  Some students want to be in the classroom, others want to study online via Zoom. At ILI, you can do either.  We have 360-degree cameras in our classrooms enabling online students to feel part of the class.  This hybrid class environment allows students to engage with each other and the instructor and to practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking the English Language.

12 English levels, plus TOEFL Preparation Course

Monday-Friday, 25 hours per week

ILI offers an intensive English ESL day program with classes in two locations: Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C. and Gaithersburg in Maryland. In Washington, D.C. we offer 12 different 4-week levels, ranging from beginner to university level, plus an 8-week TOEFL Preparation course.  Each class includes instruction in the following areas: Listening, speaking, grammar, reading, and writing.

Level Description:

These are the beginning levels for students who have not studied English before or who have studied only a small amount of English for a short time. The classes include these things.
  • Basic vocabulary, grammar, and conversation
  • Simple reading and writing (including the alphabet, if needed)
  • Listening practice
  • CD/DVD program
  • Pronunciation
  • Yes/no and information questions
  • Spelling, dictation
These are low-intermediate levels. The students begin working through a grammar book that explains basic English structures. In addition, a reading/writing book builds students’ reading skills through vocabulary and comprehension questions and helps the students learn about simple mechanics and organization for writing sentences and single paragraphs.
These are intermediate levels. The activities in these levels become more advanced. The textbooks have a wider vocabulary and include more complicated structures. Students continue to work on single-paragraph essays and on more complicated listening, speaking, and reading activities.
These are high-intermediate levels. The lessons and skills taught are more academic. Students write three multi-paragraph essays, paying attention to correct paragraph structure, organization, and detail. Students listen to reports about a variety of topics and work on exercises that include listening for details, synthesizing information from listenings and making inferences. In addition, these levels may include debates, role-play, class discussions, student presentations, and other speaking activities.
These are advanced levels. The students work on complex structures in the grammar textbook. The writing assignments include multi-paragraph essays. Students work with more complex topics in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students might be asked to prepare an oral presentation or lead a class discussion.
This is the university and professional level. The class prepares students for an American college or university, a U.S. corporation, or an international organization. As much as possible, the students use authentic English texts: American newspapers, magazines, novels, short stories, poems, essays, radio programs, TV programs, and video presentations. Students do a variety of writing activities. These writing assignments might include a biography, an analysis of something read in class, a resume, a business letter, a practice TOEFL essay, or a response to a student presentation. Students give oral presentations or lead discussion groups. There is extensive vocabulary work. Instructors review points of grammar based on student errors in speaking and writing.
This is the university and professional level. The class focuses on advanced grammar, advanced writing assignments based on the grammar structures, and advanced vocabulary. Students must be at the F level and must receive either a score of 70 on the placement test or the Program Coordinator’s approval to take this course. The complete course is eight weeks, but students can take each four-week section separately.
This is the university and professional level. The class focuses on advanced writing skills based on academic essay structures and advanced speaking/presentation skills. Students must be at the F level and must receive either a score of 70 on the placement test or the Program Coordinator’s approval to take this course. The complete course is eight weeks, but students can take each four-week section separately.

Schedule:

Intensive English classes in Washington, D.C., including the TOEFL Preparation class, meet 5 class hours per day, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 2:10 pm, including a 15 minute morning break and a 45-minute lunch break.

Start Dates:

New classes begin officially every 4 weeks. However, students may actually enter the program any Monday. A placement test allows us to place the student at the appropriate level.

The remaining 2021 start dates are: November 15 and December 13. The official 2022 start dates are January 10, February 7, March 7, April 4, May 2, May 31, June 27, July 25, August 22, September 19, October 17, November 14, December 12. We do not have application deadlines but recommend applying 2-3 months before the start date if an F-1 student visa is required.

Tuition/Textbooks/Fees:

Washington, DCCost
Application Fee$75
Tuition (for 4 weeks all 12 ESL levels + TOEFL Preparation)$780
Books (depending on level)$53-145
Optional:  SEVIS I-901 Fee payment for F-1 visa applicants (paid to SEVP)$350
Optional:  Express Mail Delivery Fee (for I-20 Form)$40-120
Housing Placement Fee (non-refundable)$150
Homestay (for 4 weeks, including food)$1025
Private English Tutorial (per hour)$42
Incoming Bank Wire Fee$30

We accept cash, U.S. checks, credit cards, bank wires, PayPal, and Western Union. All prices are subject to change without prior notice. Au-Pairs can receive a 10% discount on tuition with proof of their status.

Enrollment:

To enroll in any of our English or Test Preparation Programs, the student needs to complete an application and pay a $75 application fee. The minimum age is 14. The application can be completed online by going to our Online Application page, or the completed paper Application Form can be emailed or faxed. Prospective students may also come to our school and apply in person. We do not have application deadlines however if the F-1 visa is required the application should be submitted 6-8 weeks before the requested start date. Homestay is optional and requires a separate Homestay application.

If you wish to enroll at our Gaithersburg, MD location, please visit its website at ilimd.com.

I-20 Form/F-1 Student Visa:

The International Language Institute is authorized, under Federal law, to enroll individuals with F-1 student visas. The International Language Institute, however, does not require students to have student visas. The I-20 form for an F-1 student visa can be issued for students in our Intensive English Day Program, including the TOEFL Preparation course, who are at least 16 years of age, enroll for a minimum of four weeks, and study in person (online study is not allowed for initial F-1 students.) For more information on obtaining an F-1 Student Visa and the requirements for obtaining an I-20 form, please go to our F-1 Visa Information page.

Placement Testing:

All new students are required to take a placement test to determine their starting level. Online students take this test online. In-person students take it at the institute during the following hours:

Monday-Friday: 9 am – 3:30 pm
No appointment is necessary.

Payment Policy:

New students:  Tuition for the first cycle (4 weeks) in the amount of $780 has to be paid entirely before the student is allowed in class. If the student is enrolling for less than 4 weeks, all tuition has to be paid before a student is allowed in class.

Continuing students:  Tuition is due the Monday after the last payment is up. A late fee of $15.00 is automatically added to any payment not received by Wednesday and increases by $15 for each week late. ILI reserves the right to disallow students in class who have not paid their tuition. Continuing students with unpaid tuition, books or fees from a previous cycle will not be allowed to re-enroll for a new cycle until such balance is paid in full. Continuing students wishing to pay for less than 1 cycle at a time can choose one of the following payment schedules:

English or TOEFL
Weekly$205
Every 2 Weeks$400
Every 3 Weeks$595

Advancement:

At the end of each four-week cycle, a student may pass to the next level if he/she has a grade average of 70% and an attendance average of 80%. If the student’s grade average is below 70%, he/she will need to repeat the level. If the student’s attendance is below 80%, he/she will need to repeat the level. The student’s grade is determined by averaging five skill areas: an average of the grammar chapter test grades, the final listening assessment, the final speaking assessment, the final reading assessment, and the final writing assessment.

Certificates & Evaluations:

All students who complete their program are awarded a certificate of attendance at the end of their studies upon request. All students are continuously evaluated and an evaluation report is available at the end of their studies. In order to qualify to receive a certificate of attendance or an evaluation from ILI, a student must maintain attendance of at least 80%.

Health Insurance

In the UniteHealth-Insuranced States, individuals are responsible for paying their own medical care costs. In general, these costs are very high. To prepare for the financial responsibility of unexpected illness or injury, all international students at the International Language Institute should have health insurance. One of the companies offering health insurance for international students is Compass Benefits.

Questions?

Please contact our Admissions Office at (202) 362-2505 or ili@www.zxjqq.com.