Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I contact the Language and Culture Center?
- What are the admission requirements?
- What are the admission procedures?
- What is the SEVIS Fee?
- How do I get a student visa to enter the United States?
- What are the start and end dates of upcoming terms?
- What are the program costs?
- When do I pay my tuition and fees?
- What is the refund policy when a student withdraws from the program?
- What scholarships and financial aid are available to LCC students?
- How is the intensive English program curriculum structured?
- What is the daily class schedule (hours of instruction)?
- How does the LCC evaluate student progress and achievement?
- Where can I get information concerning housing options?
- What other student services are available?
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How do I contact the Language and Culture Center?
Language and Culture Center
University of Houston
116 Roy Cullen Bldg.
Houston, Texas 77004-3014
U.S.A.
Telephone: 713-743-3030
Fax: 713-743-3029
Email: lcc@uh.edu
What are the admission requirements?
To be admitted to the Language and Culture Center (LCC) intensive English program, students must be at least 17 years of age, have a high school diploma, and understand the English alphabet. Students applying for F-1 visas must also show proof of sufficient financial support. NOTE: Acceptance into the Language and Culture Center intensive English program does not mean acceptance into an undergraduate or graduate academic program at the University of Houston (UH). Students who wish to pursue their academic studies at the university must apply directly to the UH Office of Admissions. Successful completion of LCC level 6, however, does meet the TOEFL requirement for UH undergraduate admission (but not for graduate admission). All LCC courses are noncredit. University officials generally do not approve concurrent enrollment in the LCC and in UH credit courses, and they do not approve conditional admission to degree programs.
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What are the admission procedures?
Mail (1) the LCC application, together with (2) an official copy of the student’s transcript and graduation diploma (with English translation), (3) financial support documents, (4) a photograph (attached to the application), and (5) a non-refundable application fee of $100.00 (check or money order only, made payable to the University of Houston) to the mailing address above. Upon receipt of all the items listed above, and if the student is found eligible for admission, the LCC will prepare a SEVIS I-20, an admission letter, and a pre-departure orientation letter briefly explaining the policies and procedures necessary for securing the appropriate visa, traveling to Houston, getting settled, and registering. These will be sent to the applicant in a timely manner, generally within two working days.
If the I-20 and the acceptance letter need to be sent by air courier, the student may add $ 55.00 to the application fee. (This fee is subject to change.)
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What is the SEVIS Fee?
The United States Department of Homeland Security requires that each applicant applying for a student visa (F-1) pay a $ 200.00 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee. Payment instructions and an I-901 form will be enclosed with the I-20 and the acceptance letter. After the payment is completed and processed, you will be mailed an official receipt (form I-797) from SEVIS that you will need to present to the embassy official at the visa interview. If you complete the payment online, you may also print out the receipt and use that as proof of payment. You will later receive an official receipt by mail.
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How do I get a student visa to enter the United States?
Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to arrange for a visa interview. Take all required documentation with you. Because all consular officers are under considerable time pressure, you should keep your answers to the questions short and to the point. Because a negative impression is created if you do not speak on your own behalf, be prepared to go to the interview alone unless the consular official allows others to be present. If your student visa is denied, maintain a positive attitude and do not engage the officer in an argument. Ask him for the reason you were denied and for a list of documents that could overcome the refusal. Never state, at any time during the interview, that you intend to work in the United States after completing your studies, as the consular official may interpret this to mean that you do not plan to return to your country. If your spouse and children are remaining in your country, be prepared to state how they will support themselves in your absence. Remember, you must convince the consular officer that you have sufficient funds available to support yourself during your stay in the United States and that you intend to return to your home country after completing your studies.
What are the start and end dates of upcoming terms?
Term Weeks Registration Graduation Ceremony Fall 2009 14 weeks Tuesday, September 8 Thursday, December 10 Spring 2010 14 weeks Tuesday, January 19 Thursday, April 29 Summer 2010 13 weeks Tuesday, May 18 Thursday, August 12 Summer II 2010 7 weeks Thursday, June 24 Thursday, August 12 Fall 2010 14 weeks Tuesday, September 7 Thursday, December 9
What are the program costs?
(All costs are subject to change without notice.
All students are expected to pay all tuition and fees on the day of registration.)
13/14 week courses 7 week course Application fee (non-refundable) $100 $100.00 Program tuition and fees $2,345 $1,180.00 University of Houston fees $340 $193 Medical Insurance $171 $87.00 TOTAL $2,956 $1,560.00 Books and supplies (approx.) $150 $150.00
When do I pay my tuition and fees?
All students are expected to pay all tuition and fees on the day of registration. Students who have not completed payment will not be permitted to attend class.
What is the refund policy when a student withdraws from the program?
If a student withdraws from the Language and Culture Center by the end of the second week of classes, he or she is entitled to a tuition and fees refund according to the following schedule: registration week - 100%, first week of classes - 75%, second week of classes - 50%, and third week of classes and thereafter - no refund. Please note that the application fee is not refundable.
What scholarships and financial aid are available to LCC students?
The Language and Culture Center awards two full and two partial scholarships each term to the continuing students who best combine academic excellence and leadership with international awareness and cross-cultural understanding. The full scholarships cover the cost of tuition, fees, and medical insurance for one term of study in the intensive English program. Each full scholarship is currently valued at $2,856.00. The partial scholarships provide $1,500.00 each toward the cost of tuition. No other form of financial aid is available to LCC students.
How is the intensive English program curriculum structured?
The intensive English program has 6 levels of instruction, from beginning (level 1) to advanced (level 6). Students in all levels have a two-hour core class (with one teacher) and a two-hour coop class (with a second teacher).The teachers plan cooperatively and teach integrated academic language skills within a curriculum which includes a focus on intercultural communication. The beginning levels concentrate on communicative and pre-academic skills. The intermediate levels focus on a solid review of English grammar and the techniques of successful academic reading and writing. The advanced levels focus on the development of academic skills-- critical thinking and oral and written self-expression -- that will prepare students for entrance into American colleges and universities. The average number of students in a class is 12.
In addition to the core and coop classes, students in levels 1-4 are assigned two hours per week in the CALL (Computer-Assisted Language Learning) lab. Students in levels 5 and 6 use the lab when their teachers reserve it for writing, research, and other assignments during the hours of their core or coop classes. The CALL lab is located in room 122 Roy Cullen. LCC classrooms are located in the Roy Cullen Building and in other nearby buildings.
What is the daily class schedule (hours of instruction)?
The Language and Culture Center has two class schedules: morning and afternoon. Students must be prepared to be assigned either schedule. Both schedules include 20 hours per week of classroom instruction, plus two hours of computer lab instruction for students in levels 1 through 4. All classes meet 5 days a week, 4 hours a day.
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How does the LCC evaluate student progress and achievement?
When students enter the program, they are given placement tests: (1) Michigan English Placement Test, (2) LCC Oral Interview (administered by two instructors, one asking questions and the other scoring for content and overall fluency), and (3) LCC Writing Sample (graded holistically by two instructors independently according to a grading guide that evaluates that evaluates grammar, vocabulary, and content). The Michigan counts 50 percent, and the Oral Interview and the Writing Sample each count 25 percent toward the placement score. The placement score is a weighted average, which is used as a guide for initial placement. At the end of the term, students are given a different version of the Michigan English Placement Test and a Writing Sample on another topic. The Michigan counts 50 percent of the student’s final evaluation. The Writing Sample counts 25 percent, and the teacher evaluation score counts 25 percent. These scores combine to create a weighted average, which is used as a guide for placement and level progression. The proficiency scale is listed below.
Placement and Progression Score Ranges:
13/14 Week Courses
Level Proficiency Scale Level Proficiency Scale 1 0 - 26 4 59- 71 2 27 - 43 5 72-81 3 44 - 58 6 82-100
Placement Score Ranges:
7 Week Course (Summer II)
Level Proficiency Scale Level Proficiency Scale 1 0 - 35 4 66 - 76 2 36 - 51 5 77 - 83 3 52 - 65 6 84- 100
NOTE:Students placing into level 1 may be placed in a level 2 class should the LCC be unable to offer a level 1 class. In this situation, the affected students will be counseled concerning their options.
Where can I get information concerning housing options?
Student housing is available through the University of Houston Residential Life and Housing office, but one needs to apply early, as space is limited. If you would like to stay in University of Houston housing, please see the housing link at the LCC web site or check the University of Houston Residential Life and Housing web site at http://www.housing.uh.edu.The LCC cannot reserve dormitory space for you. Students who wish to stay in university residence halls must provide their own towels, pillows, bed sheets, and blankets.
Please note that you cannot apply for housing until you have received your acceptance letter and 7-digit UH ID number. Without the UH ID number, you will not be able to submit your housing application.
Many students live off campus in apartments. Bus service is available to most apartments. A larger choice of apartments is available for students who have their own transportation.
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What other student services are available?
LCC students receive a Cougar Card during the registration process. This identification card gives LCC students access to all University of Houston student services (the student health center, the various UH libraries, the athletic facilities, the University Center, the Recreation and Wellness Center, and the various forms of entertainment on campus). In addition, the staff in the office of the LCC International Student Counselor (118-120 Roy Cullen Bldg.) (1) provides information on housing options, (2) gives professional assistance with personal, academic, and immigration issues, and (3) organizes several all-program events each term, including field trips to area attractions. LCC students also receive a CougarNet account, which authorizes them to use computers on campus.
