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Welcome to Academic Leaders International

Let’s Learn Together!
一起学习!

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What is Academic Leaders International?

Welcome to Academic Leaders International (ALI), where our mission is to create a comprehensive experience for internationally-focused students. We empower students to grow, learn, and thrive in both the English language and culture, while honoring the richness of Chinese culture. Through our diverse language arts programs and our quest for providing community support, we enhance students' English language skills, fostering their academic and personal development at the same time. Explore the vibrant programs and supportive community that ALI offers to every student!

Chicago

Online: ALI PROGRESSIVE ENGLISH LEARNING (PEL) CLUB

In the ALI PEL Book Club, nearly 100 students from China and a few other countries meet in small online groups online to discuss a book that they all are reading together. Through sharing their thinking, they build a richer understanding than any one student could gain from independent English reading alone.  Each week there is a thoughtful assignment to enhance each student's understanding of the material.  There are different classes levels offered and students are evaluated and placed into such course levels  as:

  • Beginner

  • Intermediate

  • Advanced

  • Expert

  • Writing

  • Seminar

Learning can be supplemented by optional work online using IXL Learning.  IXL allows students to learn at their own pace, whether that's reinforcing skills or exploring new skills. And as students learn on IXL, ALI educators and parents can get valuable insights to monitor progress.

 

INSTRUCTORS

Elliott Cady, M.S. Ed., is the lead teacher for ALI's English language courses and PEL Book Club.  Mr. Cady is a long-time teacher and coordinator of academic enrichment programs.  For ALI, he heads the PEL Book Club and coordinates operations with two (2) other experienced U.S. teachers.

 

Mr. Cady's current position is Manager of Admissions and Pathways Advising at the Center for Talent Development at Northwestern University.  Prior to his current role, he was the Coordinator for CTD's Spectrum Summer Program, which serves academically gifted and talented students in grades 6 – 8 from around the world.  He holds a double bachelor’s degree from Northwestern in Economics and Spanish, as well as an M.S. Ed., also from Northwestern.  He earned further endorsements in Bilingual Education and English as a Second Language. Prior to working at Center for Talent Development Mr. Cady taught for 19 years.  He began his unexpected career in education as a bilingual kindergarten teacher in Chicago, Illinois.  He has taught all grades from kindergarten through eighth and has tutored privately with subjects ranging from high school biology and precalculus to elementary Spanish and ACT/SAT test preparation.  After working for Chicago Public Schools for four years, he moved to Saigon, Vietnam to help open Saigon South International School. After three years he moved to Bangkok where he worked with English language learners from all over Asia at the New International School of Thailand. For five years, in addition to teaching in the Clark County School District, he developed and oversaw the implementation of a K – 8, ELA and mathematics afterschool tutoring curriculum used primarily with English as a second language learners. His curriculum was utilized in more than sixty schools in the Las Vegas area.

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Onsite USA: SUMMER 2025
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR TALENT DEVELOPMENT (CTD)

The Center for Talent Development (CTD) at Northwestern University (Evanston, IL, USA) is dedicated to helping gifted and talented students, age 4 through grade 12, reach full potential. CTD provides research-based assessment, advanced academic programs, and resources to enhance gifted education and guide students in developing their talents.

Center for Talent Development is proud of its history of serving the gifted community with both passion and excellence. Since 1982, CTD has evolved from a single focus on talent identification to a multi-faceted operation with four central goals: talent identification, talent development, research, and advocacy.

ALI facilitates program recruitment, support and logistics to ensure every student is taken care of as soon as he/she arrives at the airport up until departure.

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Northwestern CTD - Live on Campus 2025

Many, many foreign students from all over the world come to Evanston, IL USA for residential-based programs providing challenging enrichment courses taught in a highly supportive environment. From early childhood through elementary, middle and high school, Center for Talent Development (CTD) gifted summer programs encourage gifted kids to explore academic areas of interest and connect with a community of peers.

Onsite China:  ALI Young Pioneers

Explore our range of initiatives aimed at supporting underprivileged families in China through ALI Young Pioneers (ALI YP), our social enterprise division!  Join us as we launch new programs in 2025.

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Events

Join us in our charitable events that aim to make a difference in the lives of less fortunate families in China. Every participation counts!

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Fundraising

Engage with us in fundraising activities organized by ALI YP to provide essential support to disadvantaged families in China. Your contribution matters!

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Community Outreach

Participate in our community outreach programs led by ALI YP to extend a helping hand to families in need across various regions in China. Together, we can make a positive impact!

CHICAGO'S NORTH SHORE

Welcome to the North Shore, a vibrant collection of suburbs just north of downtown Chicago, nestled along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. Here, you'll find top-notch schools, delicious dining options, and a rich array of cultural events, all complemented by comfortable, sandy beaches. With convenient public train access to downtown Chicago, the North Shore offers the perfect blend of suburban charm and urban convenience. Come explore all that this wonderful community has to offer!

Chinese Partner Institutions

Shanghai Foreign Service Company, International Training Center (Shanghai, China)

Shanghai Foreign Service (Group) Co. Ltd. provides human resource services. The Shanghai headquarters offers an International Training Center for foreign education opportunities for all ages.

 

The Shanghai office and the 20 other offices in China offer other departments for business agencies, human resource management consulting, employee leasing, recruitment, staffing, payroll management, benefit administration, and other related services.

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Contact Us

Academic Leaders International always has its doors open. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions regarding our academics, events, students, staff, partnerships or anything else.

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