The ELI program provides two semesters of instruction (fall/spring) for returning and new students; and a six-week session in the summer for current students only. The ELI program provides 18 to 24 hours of instruction per week during the fall/spring semester. International ELI students are required to be enrolled for 18 hours of instruction to be considered active students by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regulations.
The English Language Institute follows the undergraduate schedule for the academic year with some exceptions, which are listed below.
- Testing Weeks (fall/spring/summer)
- Student Awards Day (spring)
Reminder: All ELI Students must complete business registration before they can attend any ELI classes.
If they fail to complete business registration, they cannot attend classes, and if they are not in class, they will be marked absent.
For international students with F-1 and J-1 visas, absences will be reflected in their immigration status.
Fall Semester
The fall semester begins in late August and ends in mid-December. It consists of sixteen weeks with a Thanksgiving holiday break in mid or late November.
Spring Semester
The spring semester begins in mid to late January and ends in mid-May. It consists of sixteen weeks with a week long Spring Break in mid-March.
Summer Sessions
The ELI program may elect to provide English Summer School in mid-May through June for current students only. New students are not accepted.
2026-2027 ELI Academic Calendar
| Fall 2026 | |
|---|---|
|
Aug 20 |
Arrival Day for New ELI Students (International) |
|
Aug 23-25 |
New International Students’ Orientation with ISSS (ELI, UG, Grad) |
|
Aug 25 |
Arrival Day for New ELI Students (Domestic) |
|
Aug 26-28 |
ELI Student Orientation (Required for all new ELI students – international and domestic) |
|
Aug 29 |
All residence halls open at 10 a.m. for RETURNING students |
|
Aug 31 |
Classes begin |
|
Aug 31 |
Late Business Registration begins (fee charged) |
|
Aug 31 |
Last day for Business Registration |
|
Sept 7 |
Labor Day Holiday (no classes) |
|
Oct 2 |
Final payment for Fall 2026 charges due (charges must be paid in full in order to register for Spring 2027 courses) |
|
Oct 12-16 |
Midterm week |
|
Nov 23-27 |
Fall Break (No classes during the week. University open Monday–Wednesday) |
|
Dec 14 |
Classes end |
|
Dec 16-18 |
Testing Week |
|
Dec 19 |
All residence halls close at noon and Winter Break begins |
|
Dec 25-Jan 1 |
Winter Break (University closed) |
| Spring 2027 | |
|---|---|
|
Jan 13 |
Arrival Day for New ELI Students |
|
Jan 14-16 |
ELI Student Orientation (Required for all new ELI students) |
|
Jan 17 |
All residence halls open at 10 a.m. for RETURNING students |
|
Jan 18 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (no classes) |
|
Jan 19 |
Classes begin |
|
Mar 1-5 |
Midterm Week |
|
March 15-19 |
Spring Break |
|
May 3 |
Classes end |
|
May 4-6 |
Testing Week |
|
May 7 |
ELI Student Awards Day |
|
May 8 |
All residence halls close at noon |
|
May 14 |
Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement exercises |
| Summer 2027 | |
|---|---|
|
May 21 – June 25 |
ELI Summer School (for returning/current students only; no new students) |
Contact
- English Language Institute
- HMB | E253
- eli.office@gallaudet.edu
- (202) 651-5721
- (202) 250-2606
