English language support services, in group, individual, or online settings
Open Enrollment Services
English Language Programs provide language support services to international graduate students and scholars at Northwestern University. Our services take place year-round and include group classes, one-on-one instruction, and supported use of online software. Our services are typically offered as non-credit group language courses, and they are available at no charge to eligible PhD students, masters students in TGS programs, and Northwestern University postdoctoral trainees. Anyone in the Northwestern community may also attend our Instruction and Practice Small Groups, or our quarterly ELP Language Table series, Something to Talk About.
We also offer Advising Sessions and Office Hours as a way to get advice on a specific language question, review previous test scores, or, for PhD and MFA students, make a plan to fulfill The Graduate School’s English Proficiency Requirement.
Quick links to open enrollment services:
- Group Classes (LING 380 & 381, LING 480)
- Individual Instruction (LING 482)
- Supported Online Software (LING 483)
- Instruction and Practice Small Groups
- Language Table
- Office Hours / Advising
Proficiency-Based Services
For some PhD and MFA students, participation in specific English Language Programs services (such as Integrated Academic Skills) is required during graduate study. Participation in these classes is based on specific test scores and student criteria.
Professional Development and Funding for Graduate Student Instructors
Our program also offers training and funded teaching opportunities for graduate students, typically those in the language sciences, including the PhD programs in Linguistics and Communication Sciences and Disorders, and the PhD and Masters program in Speech-Language Pathology. Graduate students in other programs with appropriate training and experience in language teaching may also be eligible for these opportunities.
- Funded graduate assistantships are available for eligible PhD students to teach in Linguistics 380, 381, 480, 482, and 483. These interdisciplinary assistantships provide tuition and stipend support and allow eligible students to bank funding towards a sixth year of graduate study. Students must have permission from their adviser and departments to apply through The Graduate School's Interdisciplinary Graduate Assistantship portal in late March/early April.
- Masters level students in the Speech Language & Learning program may also be eligible for a limited number of paid part-time teaching opportunities offered on an occasional basis.
- Graduate assistants or part-time instructors in English Language Programs must participate in Applied Linguistics for English Language Teaching (ELP's training program for student instructors) prior to their appointments. Training is offered in the summer quarter.