Mission Statement

The Vanderbilt University English Language Center (ELC) supports the university’s internationalization, diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts through engaging English for Academic and Professional language instruction and targeted resources for international students, faculty, staff, and scholars who use English as an additional language. Our goal is to help you achieve the most from your Vanderbilt experience by providing innovative, high-quality, individualized English-language instruction. The ELC provides courses and services to address the professional, academic, and practical language needs of students, staff, faculty and spouses enhancing the diversity of the Vanderbilt campus, and promoting cross-cultural awareness. The ELC also participates in the scholarly mission of the university by creating and disseminating new knowledge in the field of second-language learning. The primary goal of the ELC is to assist the growing number of students, staff, scholars, and faculty at Vanderbilt to achieve their academic and professional potential and to participate in the life of the university and community.

The ELC supports the university’s commitment to an inclusive Vanderbilt.