Established in 1961 as a unit of the Department of English and the College of Arts and Letters at Michigan State University, the English Language Center (ELC) provides instruction to international students who need to improve their English language skills before beginning academic course work. The ELC serves the international community by providing English language instruction against a backdrop of American life and academia.

It also serves individuals who are not seeking a degree at MSU but who want to improve their English skills. Such students can apply directly to the English Language Center or may enroll through the Eurocentres program.