ELI: Language Adventure USA

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Short-term program for high school students!

Spend 3 weeks improving your English skills while learning about American culture!

This short-term adventure combines high-quality ESL instruction, cultural course content and fun, providing an enriching experience for high school students from around the world.

Language Adventure USA includes several excursions, allowing students to visit important cultural and historical sites on the East Coast of the U.S.

All students are protected under UD’s Protection of Minors Policy.

About Delaware

The University of Delaware is considered to be one of the best institutions of higher learning in the USA and is currently ranked #44 among public institutions by the US News and World Report, 2025.

The English Language Institute (ELI) is an academic unit of the University of Delaware’s College of Arts and Sciences and has a long tradition of providing high-quality intensive English programs to international students and professionals from around the world.

Our location is perfect for a short-term stay in the USA! The City of Newark is located 45 minutes from Philadelphia, 2 hours from New York City, and 2 hours from Washington, D.C.

Learn more about our location >

Map showing Newark centrally located on the East Coast of the U.S.

Requirements

This program is meant for high school students, 15 to 17 years old. If you are older than 18 years, you should consider our Intensive English Program.

There is no minimum level of English skill required to apply for Language Adventure USA; however, many of our specialized courses require at least a “high-intermediate” level of English, as determined on our placement test that is given at the beginning of the program. Students with “beginner” or “low-intermediate” levels of English must enroll in our General English courses.

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Program dates and duration

Summer 2025

Dates	Duration
July 19–August 9, 2025	3 weeks

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Price

Summer 2025

Duration	Price
3 weeks	US $5,495*

*Scholarships may be available upon request.

*NOTE: Chaperones are responsible for their own costs unless prior arrangements are made with ELI.

What is included in the price?

English tests	English tests include: Placement test at the beginning of the program Skill areas assessed: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Grammar.
English courses	Students attend two English courses every day from 8:15 a.m. until approximately 12:10 p.m.
Course books	Textbooks for both classes ($180 value).
Certificate	Students in good academic standing will receive a certificate that verifies that they have completed the classes. They will also receive a transcript (grade report) showing the grades earned in each skill area (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, Grammar).
University student ID card	Provides students with access to the University’s facilities, including the gym, pool, library, computer labs, etc.
Housing	Students will live with an American family.
Meals	Breakfast and dinner are taken with the homestay family. Lunch is provided in the dining hall.
Transportation	Homestay families will drive the students to the university and pick them up every day (unless the family lives within 1.6 km of the university).
University health clinic	Free consultation, treatment, and prescriptions are provided by medical doctors and nurses.
Excursions	Past excursions have included: New York City, Washington D.C., Philadelphia or Baltimore, and Rehoboth Beach.
Activities	Afternoon and evening activities include hikes, picnics, tournaments, concerts, and sports games.

What is not included in the price?

Visa fee: Citizens of countries that participate in the US Visa Waiver Program will pay an ESTA fee to U.S. Customs and Border Protection of approximately US $21.
Airfare: Students are required to pay for their plane ticket to travel to/from Philadelphia.
Spending money: Remember, Delaware has no sales tax on most purchases.
Health insurance: Show proof of satisfactory insurance that meets our minimum coverage levels (pdf), or purchase our insurance policy: USD $135 for 4 weeks.

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Courses and Instruction Quality

All students will take two categories of courses: “Listening/Speaking” and “Reading/Writing.” Courses daily from 8:15 a.m. until approximately 12:10 p.m.

The ELI is proud to offer a variety of interesting courses, which could include*:

Business writing and presentations
Storytelling and writing
Theater, games, and skits (drama)
Music
News
Literature
Film production
E-gaming

*Students are required to take an online English placement exam through the ELI before arriving in Delaware to ensure that they have an English level that is high enough to be successful in these classes. Students in lower levels must take General English courses.

The ELI faculty has a strong reputation for being experts in their field. ELI instructors have at least a master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) or in Applied Linguistics.

The ELI is accredited by the Commission for English Language Program Accreditation (CEA), ensuring excellence in instruction and programming for our students.

ACTIVITIES:

ELI activities could include these structured/guided activities: Pool party, Movie-viewing party to prepare for a weekend cultural excursion, Picnic, Team building challenges, Ice-Cream Making, Trail hiking, Painting Party (step-by-step painting instruction), Guitar Club/American music, Intro to Photography, Downtown Photo Scavenger Hunt.
Activities around campus: Gym, weights, indoor track, pool, table tennis, badminton, basketball, volleyball, or the Hen Zone (UD Student Center which has billiards, video games, board games, table tennis, QuadAi

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Cultural Excursions

Discover some of the most famous sites on the East Coast of the USA, that may include:

New York City
Washington, D.C.
Philadelphia
Delaware beaches

In addition to major excursions, the ELI also plans many local activities for students in the afternoons and evenings. This includes hikes, picnics, concerts, visits to local attractions, etc.