Language Adventure USA
Short-Term program for High school students
Spend 3 weeks improving your English skills while learning about American culture
Hosted by the English Language Institute at the University of Delaware, 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. To learn more about Language Adventure USA, contact the English Language Institute at ud-eli@udel.edu.
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.
Program Dates and Duration
Summer 2025
| Dates | Duration |
|---|---|
| July 20–August 8, 2025 | 3 weeks |
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.
| Included | Details |
|---|---|
| English tests | English tests include:
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). |
Health insurance |
Health insurance is included (USD $135 value). |
| 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. |
| Not Included | Details |
|---|---|
| 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. |
Course Offerings
Students take two categories of courses: “Listening/Speaking” and “Reading/Writing.” 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 their English level is high enough to be successful in these classes. Students in lower levels must take General English courses.
About ELI Faculty
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.
Accreditation
The ELI is accredited by the Commission for English Language Program Accreditation (CEA), ensuring excellence in instruction and programming for our students.
What do Language Adventure Students do every day?
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. |
Breakfast |
| 8:15 – 12:10 p.m. | Two classes |
| 12:30 – 1:45 p.m. | Lunch |
| 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Activities at English Language Institute, University of Delaware and Newark with UD mentor |
| 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Dinner |
| 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. | Evening activities with all high school summer programs at UD |
| 9:00 – 11:00 p.m. | Student study & break time |
| 11:00 p.m. | Lights out |
Activities
A variety of activities are available to English Language Institute students:
- Optional Hub Programs: Extensive reading books, conversation couch, e-game stations and tutors.
- ELI Activities: Structured or guided activities in the afternoons and evenings, including International Coffee Hour, hikes, concerts, local attractions, pool party, movie-viewing party, picnic, team-building challenges, ice-cream making, trail hiking, painting party (with instruction), guitar club/American music, intro to photography, downtown photo scavenger hunt.
- Activities around campus: gym, weights, indoor track, pool, table tennis, badminton, basketball and volleyball. The Hen Zone at UD's Perkins Student Center has billiards, video games, board games, table tennis and Quad Air Hockey.
Cultural Excursions
Discover some of the most famous sites on the East Coast of the USA, which may include New York City, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and the Delaware beaches.
Accommodations
The English Language Institute coordinates housing for students in short-term programs like Language Adventure USA.
Apply
Applying for Language Adventure USA is easy! Simply follow these instructions. Questions? Contact ELI admissions at eli-admissions@udel.edu:
- Complete our online application.
- Pay the non-refundable US $300 tuition deposit. Pay this fee with a credit card using our secure online payment system.
- Send a copy of your passport to ud-eli@udel.edu.
About the English Language Institute
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.
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.
UD Capture Video: Welcoming students waving on the balcony of a building at the University of Delaware: https://capture.udel.edu/media/1_m7sjx33v/
