Our Mission
At the English Language Institute, our mission is to provide premier English language programs and services in a dynamic learning environment for individuals learning English as an additional language. Through a spirit of collaboration and learning, we achieve this mission by bridging cultural and linguistic gaps, empowering students, fostering global partnerships, and engaging in research in the field of TESOL.
Our History
Since 1978 The English Language Institute has provided language programs and courses for prospective University of Tennessee students, visitors, and professionals. Read more about our rich history here.
Former ELI facility on Montcastle Street
Our Location
The English Language Institute is in a modern suite in UTK’s Conference Center in downtown Knoxville, less than 1 mile from the main campus. Our space has two student lounges, one with a mini-kitchen, one with sofas and study spaces. The classrooms are equipped with internet access, instructor podiums with projectors and video/audio capabilities. There is also a full computer lab, staff offices, and a welcome lobby.
Our Home: Knoxville and East Tennessee
East Tennessee is a place of natural beauty. People from all over the world visit the Knoxville area to hike, boat, and camp in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most visited national park in the United States.
The Great Smoky Mountains are also home to Dollywood, a country-music theme park visited by over 2,000,000 visitors a year, and Gatlinburg, a shopping village with traditional German-style buildings, an aquarium, a sky lift, and other attractions.
Asheville, a hip town with trendy restaurants and a thriving arts scene, is just across the mountains to the east. In Asheville, Biltmore House, a European-style mansion, is set in beautiful gardens and well worth a day’s visit.
Only an hour and a half drive to the southwest is Chattanooga, with its unique river aquarium as well as a salt-water aquarium. Chattanooga also boasts an active arts community, the century-old iconic Rock City, and mile-long cave waterfall Ruby Falls.
Two and a half hours’ drive to the west is Nashville– “Music City, USA.” Second only to Los Angeles, Nashville has many of the best musicians and music studios in the US.
Click on this map to see other attractions in and around Knoxville.