ELI receives 10-year re-accreditation

Faculty and staff "pat each other on the back" following the announcement of the Institute's 10-year re-accreditation.

In August the English Language Institute received cork-popping news when it became re-accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA). The achievement, which extends the Institute’s accreditation for 10 years until 2016, was bestowed on just two intensive English programs this year.

The announcement followed a site visit in June by a three-member panel who reviewed documentation, observed classes and interviewed faculty, staff and students.

“The ELI at the University of Delaware is a well established program which is highly respected in the field,” the report began.

“The site visit helped to verify the program’s strengths in the areas of mission, faculty, student services and administrative structure. Other strengths include the diversity of curricular offerings. All of these strengths lead to a high degree of student and employee satisfaction in a very active program.”

Prior to the site visit, the ELI faculty and staff prepared a three-volume self-study report documenting its compliance with ten standards established by the CEA covering all areas of the Institute’s structure and programs.

“This recognition of our program’s caliber by CEA is particularly rewarding, as it is conferred upon us by our peers in the profession who are following the criteria for best practice,” said ELI director Dr. Scott Stevens.

“It is especially gratifying to know how very pleased the students are with the quality of teaching and curriculum, and with our student services, orientation and homestay programs.”

Reviewers interviewed almost 20 percent of the Institute’s student body.

“Students of ELI are highly satisfied with the instruction as well as student services––both preand post-arrival,” they concluded. “They appreciate the support they receive from faculty and staff.”

Faculty were singled out for special praise.

“The current ELI faculty is composed of highly skilled professionals who meet or exceed the requirements set out in their job descriptions,” the report said.

The ten standards evaluated by the CEA were mission, curriculum, faculty, facilities, equipment and supplies, administrative and fiscal capacity, student services, recruiting, length and structure of program, student achievement and student complaints.

In September 2003, CEA was recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accrediting agency for English language programs and institutions. Of the approximately 1,000 intensive English programs in the United States, fewer than 200 have achieved accreditation by either CEA or the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET), the profession’s two accrediting agencies. Of the programs applying to CEA, only 14 have been awarded a ten-year accreditation. Another 42 have been granted accreditation for shorter terms.