CELCIS offers in-person courses 45 weeks of the calendar year in two semesters (Fall, Spring) and two sessions (Summer I, Summer II). In-person instruction is available for all proficiency levels. CELCIS helps students meet University English proficiency requirements while studying on the WMU campus.
Curriculum
CELCIS classes prepare students to study at Western Michigan University and other U.S. American colleges and universities. Additionally, CELCIS classes can help professionals improve their English for work.
CELCIS offers in-person ESL courses 45 weeks of the calendar year in two semesters (Fall, Spring) and two sessions (Summer I, Summer II*). In-person instruction is available for all proficiency levels CELCIS helps students meet University English proficiency requirements while studying on the WMU campus.
*Please note, new students beginning in the Summer II session may be required to retake courses or take a placement test to advance to the next level*
Instruction is divided into four classes: 1-Speaking/Listening, 2-Grammar/Communication, 3-Reading/Writing I and 4-Reading/Writing II
Levels
Elementary
Speaking/Listening (ESL 0110)
- Develop fluency in speaking
- Learn basic communication skills in English.
- Learn to participate in small group and whole class discussions.
- Practice giving short talks.
- Learn to to use basic note-taking skills.
Grammar/Communication (ESL 0120)
- Develop fluency in speaking and writing.
- Learn basic English grammar.
- Learn to self-edit for grammatical accuracy in speaking and writing.
- Develop awareness of the relationship of grammar to meaning.
Reading/Writing (ESL 0130 & 0140)
- Develop fluency in reading and writing.
- Develop vocabulary skills.
- Develop the ability to use text organization for comprehension.
- Learn conventional writing mechanics.
- Develop the ability to react to readings.
- Develop basic research and library skills.
Intermediate
Speaking/Listening (ESL 0210)
- Communicate with and comprehend English speakers.
- Participate in small group discussions in academic situations.
- Participate in whole class discussions and activities.
- Give oral presentations.
- Take comprehensible notes.
Grammar/Communication (ESL 0220)
- Develop fluency in writing and speaking.
- Increase grammatical accuracy in writing and speaking.
- Self-edit for accuracy in writing and speaking.
- Develop awareness of the relationship of grammar to meaning.
Reading/Writing (ESL 0230 & 0240)
- Read and comprehend texts.
- Write academic papers.
- Create study guides.
- Write essay exam answers.
- Use research and library skills.
Pre-Advanced
Speaking/Listening (ESL 0310)
- Communicate with and comprehend English speakers.
- Participate in small group discussions in academic situations.
- Participate in whole class discussions and activities.
- Give oral presentations.
- Take comprehensible notes.
Grammar/Communication (ESL 0320)
- Develop fluency in writing and speaking.
- Increase grammatical accuracy in writing and speaking.
- Self-edit for accuracy in writing and speaking.
- Develop awareness of the relationship of grammar to meaning.
Reading/Writing (ESL 0330 & 0340)
- Read and comprehend texts.
- Write academic papers.
- Create study guides.
- Write essay exam answers.
- Use research and library skills.
Advanced
Speaking/Listening (ESL 0410)
- Communicate with and comprehend English speakers.
- Participate in small group discussions in academic situations.
- Participate in whole class discussions and activities.
- Give oral presentations.
- Take comprehensible notes.
Grammar/Communication (ESL 0420)
- Develop fluency in writing and speaking.
- Increase grammatical accuracy in writing and speaking.
- Self-edit for accuracy in writing and speaking.
- Develop awareness of the relationship of grammar to meaning.
Reading/Writing (ESL 0430 & 0440)
- Read and comprehend texts.
- Write academic papers.
- Create study guides.
- Write essay exam answers.
- Use research and library skills.
Achievement Scale and Interpretation (Plus Prerequisites)
CELCIS has four levels which range from Elementary to Advanced.
Note on Promotion:
Students must receive the C grade of 75% or higher in grade to progress from one level to the next.
Grading Scale
75% and higher = Satisfactory (pass)
74% and below = Unsatisfactory (fail)
| 95-100% A | 85-89% B | 75-79% C | 65-69% D |
| 90-94% BA | 80-84% CB | 70-74% DC | 64-0% E |
Class Schedule
CELCIS instruction is divided into four classes.
In-Person Schedule
Each level is composed of four hours of instruction per day, five days a week (Monday through Friday) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please see the CELCIS weekly schedule below.
Co-Curricular Activities
CELCIS provides co-curricular activities to help students learn English in informal settings and get involved in the local community. These activities may be required for both in-person and online CELCIS instruction.
Contact @email for more information.
CELCIS Engagement Certificate Program
The CELCIS Engagement Certificate Program is designed to encourage learning experiences outside of the classroom while engaging and connecting with the campus community. All CELCIS students and short-term program participants are eligible to participate. Participants who successfully complete the requirements of the program will receive a certificate.
How to earn your certificate:
- Find and attend at least 10 events/experiences listed on the ExperienceWMU website.*
- Write a short reflection piece for each event. Reflections should emphasize how participation in the event has impacted their out-of-class learning and engagement with the campus or community.
NOTE: Students pursuing this certificate as part of a class assignment may have different requirements for the reflection and should follow their teacher's instructions. - Complete the Certificate Application
- Submit your Certificate Application to the CELCIS office (Ellsworth Hall, Garden Level).
- Earn the CELCIS Engagement Certificate!
Learning Resources
Find helpful activities and resources to refresh, aid, and extend students' classroom instruction. Note: Sites listed here may not be directly associated with CELCIS or Western Michigan University.
With more than 4.5 million items and 62,000 subscriptions, the University Libraries is a great way to begin your research.
ESL Self-Study Websites and Apps
A list of websites and apps available to students so that they may study on their own.
Costs
Tuition and fees depend on the ESL structure that students will pursue. At CELCIS, students may study ESL full-time or in a WMU (Dual Enrollment) Pathway Program.
Tuition and fees (Intensive English Program)
Prices below are approximate costs in United States currency and may change slightly without prior notice.
Dates
CELCIS offers courses 45 weeks of the calendar year in two semesters (Fall, Spring) and two sessions (Summer I, Summer II). In-person instruction is available for all skill areas and proficiency levels
Accreditation
The Center for English Language and Culture for International Students (CELCIS), Western Michigan University is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation for the period August 2015 through August 2025 and agrees to uphold the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions.* CEA is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency for English language programs and institutions in the U.S. For further information about this accreditation, please contact CEA, 801 North Fairfax Street, Suite 402A, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 665-3400, www.cea-accredit.org
CELCIS complies with the guidelines and regulations of the following professional organizations: CEA, Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, University and College Intensive English Programs, American Association of Intensive English Programs, and NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
*CEA accreditation provisions apply to in-person, core instruction.
About the Haenicke Institute for Global Education
Your journey at Western Michigan University is a global one. Through transformative events, immersive classes and Experience-Driven Learning, the Haenicke Institute for Global Education connects Kalamazoo to the world—and the world to Kalamazoo. We assist more than 2,000 international students and alumni at home and abroad with admissions, immigration support, student success and post-graduation job training. We host 80+ study abroad programs and bring students, faculty and staff to 30 countries, on average, each year. From fostering academic opportunities to showcasing cultural events and providing K-12 outreach, the Haenicke Institute promotes learning that transcends borders and takes you wherever you want to go.
