Welcome! Whether you are new to Northwestern, or just discovering English Language Programs for the first time, you've reached the right place. Find information here about English Language Programs that is tailored to you. To get started, choose the tab below that best describes your relationship with Northwestern University, or visit our eligibility page to learn more about who can participate in our services. View the tabs at the tabs at the top of this page to learn more about our history and staff, as well as proficiency testing, quarterly services, and orientation programs offered by ELP. On each tab, you'll find a link to a flyer listing all the services you are eligible for in the current quarter.
Graduate students interested in paid and volunteer service opportunities and professional development through our programs should check our Get Involved page.
If you are a department representative looking for support for an international student, scholar, or staff member, please see our Advising for Faculty and Staff section for additional information.
PhD and MFA students
General information about ELP services for PhD and MFA students is listed below. PhD and MFA students are eligible for all ELP Services and have first priority in our open enrollment programs. If you are not sure which services are right for you, contact Brian Hampson at elp@northwestern.edu to arrange an advising appointment (in-person and Zoom options are available for advising).
- All TGS graduate students, including PhD and MFA students, must enroll in ELP courses using our online registration process; students are not permitted to audit. Registration is open through the end of the first week of classes for each quarter, but services fill quickly.
- For open enrollment group classes, students who use our online registration process will be given a permission number to use in CAESAR to register.
- For individual instruction and supported online speech and language training, PhD and MFA students who apply through our online registration system will be manually enrolled in the course on CAESAR and will not need a permission number. PhD and MFA students enrolled in Integrated Academic Skills will receive specific instructions by email on how to select their group class and individual instruction appointment and will be manually enrolled in those services by ELP and TGS staff.
- Other services, such as English Development through Guided Exploration (EDGE), Language Table, advising appointments, and office hours each have their own sign up process-check the pages for individual programs to learn more.
- Incoming PhD and MFA students are also eligible for our ELP Foundations program, which takes place the summer before matriculation (with some in-person events in Fall Quarter). Students must be nominated by their admitting program to participate: the deadline is in mid-May.
TGS Masters Students
TGS Masters students are graduate students who are enrolled in a masters program that is overseen by The Graduate School. General information about ELP services for TGS masters students is listed below. If you are not sure which services are right for you, contact Brian Hampson at elp@northwestern.edu to arrange an advising appointment (in-person and Zoom options are available for advising).
- TGS Masters students are eligible for all ELP Services. Some services may have limited availability for TGS Masters students, as PhD students have first priority for open enrollment programs.
- All TGS graduate students, including masters students, must enroll in ELP courses using our online registration process; students are not permitted to audit. Registration is open through the end of the first week of classes for each quarter, but services fill quickly.
- For open enrollment group classes, masters students who use our online registration process will be given a permission number to use in CAESAR to register.
- For individual instruction and supported online speech and language training, TGS masters students who apply through our online registration system will be manually enrolled in the course on CAESAR and will not need a permission number.
- Other services, such as English Development through Guided Exploration (EDGE), Language Table, advising appointments, and office hours each have their own sign up process-check the pages for individual programs to learn more.
- TGS Masters students are not eligible for the ELP Foundations program, but are eligible to participate in our other orientation program: English Development through Guided Exploration (EDGE).
Postdoctoral Trainees and Visiting Postdoctoral Fellows
Postdoctoral Trainees and Visiting Postdoctoral Fellows are part of The Graduate School's cohort, along with PhD, MFA, and TGS masters students. Postdocs are eligible for all open-enrollment services offered by English Language Programs. If you are not sure which services are right for you, contact Brian Hampson at elp@northwestern.edu to arrange an advising appointment (in-person and Zoom options are available for advising).
- Some services may have limited availability for postdocs, as PhD students have first priority for open enrollment programs.
- Because postdocs are not enrolled as students at Northwestern, they must register for ELP services as auditors through our online registration system in order to reserve a space in our services, and will not appear on CAESAR rosters. Registration for postdocs opens in the first week of classes for each quarter and continues through the second week, but services fill quickly. We recommend that postdocs register early in the first week of classes for services.
- ELP will assist postdocs who register for ELP courses in getting access to Northwestern's course management system, Canvas, in order to access our course sites.
- Other services, such as English Development through Guided Exploration (EDGE), Language Table, advising appointments, and office hours each have their own sign up process-check the pages for individual programs to learn more.
- Postdoctoral trainees are not eligible for the ELP Foundations program, but are eligible to participate in our other orientation program: English Development through Guided Exploration (EDGE).
- Still have questions? Please contact us at elp@northwestern.edu and let us know.
Affiliates of Northwestern and Community Members
Information for members of the Northwestern community with a NetID who are not a part of The Graduate School, family members of students of The Graduate School, and members of the local community.
Affiliates:
Affiliates include Northwestern faculty, staff, graduate students in masters programs that are not overseen by The Graduate School, undergraduates, research associates, visiting scholars, visiting pre-doctoral fellows and all other Northwestern community members with a NetID. Affiliates have limited eligibility for English Language Programs services. If you are unsure about whether you have affiliate status for ELP services, please contact Brian Hampson at elp@northwestern.edu to arrange an advising appointment (in-person and Zoom options are available for advising).
- Through the end of 2023, affiliates may enroll in Linguistics 483-Supported Online Speech and Language Training, if space remains available after registration for the TGS cohort has concluded.
- Affiliates may sign up for Instruction and Practice Small Groups, if space remains available after registration for the TGS cohort has concluded.
- Affiliates may sign up for occasional one-on-one help (up to five times per quarter) through our LING 482 Office hours.
- Affiliates may also attend our Language Table series, "Something to Talk About".
Community Members:
Spouses and family members of students and the general public are not eligible for ELP services. Please see our additional resources page for information on programs for family members of students and for the general public.
Have more questions about eligibility for our services? Contact our staff at elp@northwestern.edu.