Learn English at the English Language Center

The English Language Center (ELC) at Brigham Young University is run by the Department of Linguistics and Continuing Education. The ELC helps train teachers who want to teach English, and it also gives high-quality English classes for students who want to learn or improve their English. Most ELC teachers are graduate students earning a TESOL master’s degree or have already finished that program.

The ELC encourages everyone to speak only English. Classes and tests are held from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students do 2 to 3 hours of homework each day and join ELC social activities. The program is very intensive: students have 20 hours of classroom lessons and lab work every week.

Semester Dates

The wait time to get a visa appointment varies by country. We recommend applying early to have sufficient time to schedule your visa appointment.

Primary and Additional Costs

*These are estimates for your information while planning. BYU Health insurance charges will be added at the beginning of each semester. Student's are required to have health insurance.

Placement Levels

Entering students are tested in order to determine their level of English proficiency and are placed in the appropriate program level according to their performance on the placement test.

The ELC has two general types of courses. Foundations Courses focus on basic language skills. Students admitted to this track usually have some foundation in English prior to coming to the ELC. Academic Courses focus specifically on preparing students to develop English language skills in order to attend a university where English is the medium of instruction. Students in Academic Courses should have at least an intermediate-high level of English proficiency.

The table below shows each level offered in both the Foundations and Academic Program. Foundation Prep classes are offered based on enrollment.