The electives are open to any student in the university whose native language is not English. Some of the students who enroll in the electives are ex-ALI students who feel that they could benefit from instruction in a particular skill, e.g. pronunciation, even though they are no longer required to take ESL classes. Still others are international students who have never had to take an ALI class, but who want to improve their speaking or writing skills at an advanced level. Each course is designed to meet the needs of a student who wants to work on a particular skill. Students are usually counselled by the ALI student advisor as to which course might be most appropriate for them.
Students usually receive credit on the basis of attendance and participation.