English Language Institute (ELI) - International Programs Office

Yes. Northern Michigan University's English Language Institute offers classes for students at all English language abilities. 

Click here to see the ELI Program Fees.

Classes begin in August, December, and May each year.

The ELI helps students improve their English language abilities for everyday conversations and future academic studies. 

Certainly! We offer three main classes: Reading & Vocabulary, Speaking & Listening, and Writing & Grammar.
Students study Monday - Friday for 21 hours each week. All classes are project-based.

The ELI has additional classes in TOEFL Preparation and American Culture available on request. 

There are five language levels. Each level takes one semester (16 weeks) to complete.

• Introduction
• Pre-Intermediate
• Intermediate
• Pre-Advanced
• Advanced

The TOEFL Test will be in May and December each year. It is free for all ELI students. 

Yes. All of our classes are face-to-face, and our instructors offer excellent individualized instruction.

• Pronunciation Practice: NMU's Speech Pathology and Audiology Department's tutors work with the ELI students one-on-one during the week.
• Service Learning: ELI students will have an opportunity to volunteer in the community.
• Activities: ELI students will participate in various activities during the semester. Activities may include attending festivals, visiting museums, shopping trips, etc.v

NMU is a publicly funded state university.

Yes. NMU is a safe campus. The university is located in a small rural town where the crime rate is low. Marquette, Michigan is ranked as one of the safest university campuses in the United States by Safewise. https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-college-towns-america/

No. NMU is a small university located in a small town. Many students do not have cars.  Students have access to the local bus system or the Wildcat Shuttle, which offers students, faculty and staff free, reliable bus transportation. For more information, go to http://www.nmu.edu/policedepartment/node/226.

Approximately 7,500 students attend NMU.

Yes. There are over 100 international students at NMU, and there are several international student clubs. One of the most active organization on campus called the All Nations Club. The club organizes an International Food Festival as well as other fun cultural activities.

Yes! There are over 300 student clubs at NMU. 

NMU is located in Marquette, Michigan. Marquette is a small city in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, on the southern shore of Lake Superior. Three major airline hubs serve Marquette: Detroit, Michigan - 750 km; Chicago, Illinois - 640 km; and Minneapolis, Minnesota - 645 km.
 

NMU is located in the northern part of the U.S.A., so winters have cold weather and snow. The average winter temperature is approximately 18 degrees F ( -7.8 degrees C). However, the NMU campus has many covered walkways that allow students to move between many buildings without going outside. The winter months also provide opportunities for fun activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.

You may be able to work for the university for up to twenty hours per week during the fall and winter semesters, and 40 hours per week during the summer. Pay rates may vary. Visa restrictions prohibit International Students from working for an employer other than the university.

NMU has housing on campus for all students. All students under the age of twenty-one must live on campus for two years (four semesters). Students with religious or cultural requirements may request to live off-campus.

Click on this link to obtain housing information.

International Students who want to enroll in a degree program at NMU for the fall or winter semesters must formally apply to the university with a separate application. Please review the university’s undergraduate or graduate international student application process. Email International Programs at ipo@nmu.edu with questions.