English Center USA is a private English school located on the second floor of the University YMCA building at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  The school was founded in 1996 by a team of educational experts in order to provide top quality English as a second language instruction.  English Center USA’s mission is to provide “a flexible program of high quality English language and American culture instruction to diverse adult English language learners in a welcome and nurturing environment.”  Unlike many English language programs, English Center USA encourages students to take classes that fit their specific needs rather than following a set curriculum.  Classes are small, with an average of 6-8 students in a class, so each student receives individual and personal attention from experienced instructors.  Most instructors have master’s degrees in their area of specialty and have years of teaching experience. 

Course Information

English Center USA offers a wide variety of classes including:

•  Conversational English
• Listening Strategies
• Pronunciation & Accent Reduction
• Writing Essentials
• Academic Writing
• Grammar
• Reading/Vocabulary
• Current Events & Reading
• Reading & Pronunciation
• Integrated English
• TOEFL Test Preparation
• TOEIC Test Preparation
• Survival English
• American Culture, TV, & Movies
• Business English Introduction
• Business English Advanced
• Presentation Skills
• Multi-Media Presentation Skills
• Computer Lab Workshops
• EPI Test Preparation Tutoring
• Customized Tutoring

Full-time Instruction

Students can enroll in the program full-time or part-time or they can receive private tutoring.  Intensive full-time programs are designed to help students quickly and effectively improve their English.  The full-time program includes 18-20 hours of class instruction per week and out of class activities that give students additional opportunities to practice their English.  I-20s for F-1 visas are available for full-time students. 

Part-time Instruction

Part-time programs are designed to meet the needs of University of Illinois students, visiting scholars, partners of students or visiting scholars, or anyone.  Part-time programs include 3, 4, or 6 hours of instruction per week for each course, depending on the course the student chooses.  Students who wish to study with an F-1 student visa are not eligible for the part-time program and must enroll in full-time study.

Private Tutoring

Private tutoring is available at English Center USA for a separate fee.  Private tutoring allows students to meet with an expert teacher one-on-one to receive customized instruction for their specific needs, for as many hours a week as the student prefers, at times and days convenient for the student.

Who can take classes at English Center USA?

English Center USA works with University of Illinois students, students with F-1 student visas, visiting scholars, partners of students or visiting scholars, or anyone who wants to improve their English.  English Center USA has also worked with corporations to help their employees improve their business English skills and more effectively present at conferences or communicate with colleagues.  The Center has also worked with departments at the University of Illinois to help graduate students pass the English oral Proficiency Interview (EPI) and maintain their status as teaching assistants.

Registration

People living in the Champaign-Urbana area who are interested in attending English Center USA can visit the Center between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm Monday through Thursday.  English Center USA will work with them to assess their needs and English skills and help them enroll in classes that meet their needs and abilities.

People who are not living in the Champaign-Urbana area can visit English Center USA’s website for registration information or can contact English Center USA by phone at (217) 344-3310 or by email at [email protected].

New students may join classes at any point during the semester.