Hunter College IELI

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Q: How long has Hunter College offered English language courses?
Q: When was the program officially named “The International English Language Institute"
Q: What is the main focus of the IELI’s courses?
Q: How many students are enrolled during any eight-week term?
Q: How long has the IELI been enrolling international students (F-1 visa holders)?
Q: What was the name of the first director of English language courses?
Q: How many different “homes” has the IELI had?
Q: I registered as a full-time student at 18 hours of in-class instruction; however, I am actually in-class for 15 hours per week. What happened to the additional 3 hours?
Q: Which Hunter College facilities can I use as an IELI student?
Q: What holidays do we have off at the IELI?

Q: How long has Hunter College offered English language courses?
The first English language classes were offered in 1950.

Q: When was the program officially named “The International English Language Institute"
The current name of the program goes back to 1976.

Q: What is the main focus of the IELI’s courses?
The Institute offers classes directed to the needs of our students. Many students plan to attend graduate or undergraduate degree programs at CUNY or other universities upon completion of their language studies; therefore, "university preparedness" is an important part of our Academic Skills Program. In addition, many students seek to improve their language skills for various reasons such as employment, everyday life in New York or cultural interest. These students can choose to study in either the English for Success or Professional Academy Programs.

Q: How many students are enrolled during any eight-week term?
The student body consists of between 700-800 students per term.

Q: How long has the IELI been enrolling international students (F-1 visa holders)?
International students have been an important part of the IELI since 1976.

Q: What was the name of the first director of English language courses?
His name was Professor Leo Taub. He retired in 1974.

Q: How many different “homes” has the IELI had?
The first location of the IELI was on 45th Street and Lexington Avenue between the years of 1976 and 1979. Its second home was the Brookdale Campus on 25th Street and First Avenue. Upon completion of the East and West buildings in 1983, the IELI moved to the main campus at 68th Street and Lexington Avenue. Our evening program has been located in several different places over the years.

Q: I registered as a full-time student at 18 hours of in-class instruction; however, I am actually in-class for 15 hours per week. What happened to the additional 3 hours?
The IELI follows the standard "academic hour" which is used by most American colleges and universities. The "academic hour" is actually 50 minutes of classroom instruction. An 18-hour program at the IELI consists of 18 "academic hours" or 18 periods of 50 minutes each. This equals, in total, 900 minutes. That is why our 18-hour program adds up to 15 real (60 minute) hours.

Q: Which Hunter College facilities can I use as an IELI student?
You can use almost the entire range of college facilities. This includes the library, the cafeteria, and the computer labs.

Q: What holidays do we have off at the IELI?
If a major national holiday falls within the eight-week term, we usually have it off. Please check our Calendar for a listing of all dates and holiday closings.

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