About the Bridge Program

The English Language Learner Institute (ELLI) at Samford University offers a concentrated English language curriculum designed to help non-native English speakers develop the English skills needed to achieve their academic goals in an American university.  

The ELLI’s English as a Second Language Program provides English training for graduate and undergraduate students to prepare them for university classes.  Samford's English requirement is a 90 on the iBT TOEFL (or equivalent test).  If a student does not meet this requirement, he or she will need to take courses in the ELLI before becoming a full-time undergraduate or graduate student.  After completing Level 4 of the ELLI, students will be able to exit the ESL program and will be prepared for courses in their chosen degree.  

Duration of the Program: 

Students take ELLI classes from one semester to two years. 

Students who are placed in Level 3 or 4 classes usually only need 1-2 semesters of ELLI courses before entering Samford as full-time non-ESL students.

Students who place into Level 1 or 2 classes usually need 3-4 semesters of ELLI courses before entering Samford as full-time non-ESL students. 

Applying for the ELLI: 

To apply for the ELLI, visit the Samford admissions website and choose the English as a Second Language (ESL) application.