ESL
March 28, 2024 2024-03-28 14:50ESL
Welcome to the Lingua Franca Institute!
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
We are delighted that you have an interest to study English at the Lingua Franca Institute (LFI), an intensive English language program offered at Washington University of Virginia (WUV).
Established in 1992, the Lingua Franca Institute is an accredited and SEVP-certified English (ESL) program located just outside Washington, DC in Annandale, Virginia. LFI provides an affordable education taught by fluent English instructors in small class sizes with a student-centered approach. We know that studying another language can be a challenging experience, especially as an adult. At LFI, we make that experience more comfortable with a relaxed, friendly, and supportive classroom atmosphere.
Our students’ goals vary from wanting to improve their communication for daily living in the U.S. to studying English to eventually apply to a degree program. Instruction is provided to help students acquire practical and academic use of English, develop communicative and grammatical fluency, improve pronunciation and listening for better comprehension, and increase cultural knowledge.
Many of our students, who have come from over 20 countries, have F-1 visas and study full-time. However, any eligible visa holder or resident is welcome to take classes either part-time or full-time.
Currently admitting only students who can demonstrate an intermediate level, our program offers Level 5 and Level 6. After completing Level 6, a student will have satisfied the English requirement to apply to one of our degree programs. See Academics for more information.
Established in 1992, the Lingua Franca Institute is an accredited and SEVP-certified English (ESL) program located just outside Washington, DC in Annandale, Virginia. LFI provides an affordable education taught by fluent English instructors in small class sizes with a student-centered approach. We know that studying another language can be a challenging experience, especially as an adult. At LFI, we make that experience more comfortable with a relaxed, friendly, and supportive classroom atmosphere.
Our students’ goals vary from wanting to improve their communication for daily living in the U.S. to studying English to eventually apply to a degree program. Instruction is provided to help students acquire practical and academic use of English, develop communicative and grammatical fluency, improve pronunciation and listening for better comprehension, and increase cultural knowledge.
Many of our students, who have come from over 20 countries, have F-1 visas and study full-time. However, any eligible visa holder or resident is welcome to take classes either part-time or full-time.
Currently admitting only students who can demonstrate an intermediate level, our program offers Level 5 and Level 6. After completing Level 6, a student will have satisfied the English requirement to apply to one of our degree programs. See Academics for more information.
- All classes are in person.
- Schedule: Monday/Wednesday class and Tuesday/Thursday class
- Full-time (both classes) 18 hours / week
- Part-time (one class) 9 hours/week
- Morning class schedule: 9:15am to 1:45pm (Level 5 & 6)
- Evening class schedule: 5:30pm to 10:00pm (Level 6 only)
- Level 5 = 500 & 501: High-intermediate (2 semesters)
- Level 6 = 600 & 601: Low advanced (2 semesters)
- Student / Teacher ratio averages 12 to 1
- 1-20s issued for up to 24 months.
- Skilled and supportive faculty and staff
CONTACT INFORMATION
| Admissions Information | ||
| admissions.wuv.edu | 703.333.5904 | |
| Director | ||
| Deanna D’Arcy | 703.333.5904, ext. 314 | ddarcy@wuv.edu |
| Address | ||
| Washington University of Virginia | 4300 Evergreen Lane Annandale, VA 22003 | |
Goals of the Lingua Franca Institute
- Increase student confidence by building on their knowledge, skills, and experience.
- Prepare meaningful and relevant lessons so that students may comprehend and communicate in written and spoken English at a practical and academic level.
- Create an interactive, communicative class environment to give students the opportunity to develop English communication, pronunciation, and grammar skills through active learning.
- Provide students with cultural knowledge and awareness to promote better connections, recognizing that language and culture are closely related.
- Encourage students to write and discuss issues in English both in and out of the classroom.
- Balance variety and routine in instructional activities to accommodate and value the range of multiple learning styles of the students.
- Provide an educational environment that is built upon the values of LFI and WUV.
- Prepare students for college-level class discussions and written work.
TUITION & FEES
- Tuition rates vary depending on your status. (See below)
- Tuition includes two courses and placement testing.
- Books are not included.
- Application Fee $100
- Registration Fee $100 (every semester)
International student (F1/J-1)
| Semester | Length | Beginning Date | Ending Date | F-1 / J-1 Tuition |
| Fall | 15 weeks | early September | mid December | $ 2360 |
| Spring | 15 weeks | early February | mid May | $ 2360 |
| ** For specific beginning and ending dates, see the Academic Calendar. | ||||
Resident & Non F1/J-1 Student
| Semester | Length | Beginning Date | Ending Date | Resident & Non F1/J-1 Tuition |
| Fall | 15 weeks | early September | mid December | $ 1050 |
| Spring | 15 weeks | early February | mid May | $ 1050 |
| ** For specific beginning and ending dates, see the Academic Calendar. | ||||
REFUND POLICY
Washington University of Virginia (and the Lingua Franca Institute) complies with the cancellation and refund policies of SCHEV. Please contact the Admission’s Office for more specific information.
CLASS SCHEDULE
LFI offers two courses at each level: Language Arts and Oral Communication. Both courses must be taken to meet F-1 visa requirements for full-time study. For other eligible visa holders and residents, you can take one or both courses. Each course focuses on the basic 4 skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The Language Arts course emphasizes reading and writing skills while the Oral Communication course emphasizes listening and speaking skills.
PLACEMENT TESTING
Before you apply to our program, you will need to qualify for the program. Students must show that they have at least an intermediate level of English skill when they apply. If you transfer from another Intensive English school, please provide a certificate(s) of completion.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is important for learning a new language and developing relationships with teachers and classmates. Attendance is 13% of your semester grade. In addition, we enforce an Attendance Policy that you must follow to maintain your F-1 visa status. International students at LFI are required to maintain normal progress for F-1 requirements. ‘Normal progress’ means that students:
Absences can be excused if you provide a note from a medical doctor. Excused absences are not counted in your total absences.
“Not Good Standing” = If your attendance percentage is under 80%, you are put on Probation at the college only. If you are on Probation for two (2) consecutive semesters, your I-20 may be terminated.
- study full-time (minimum of 18 hours/week), and
- attend at least 75% of the classes each semester, and
- comply with all school policies and financial obligations.
| Percentage | Number of Absences PER COURSE | Result |
| 100% - 80% | 5 or fewer absences | Good Standing |
| 79% - 75% | 6 - 7 absences | Not Good Standing |
| Under 75% | 8 or more absences | possible I-20 Termination |
GRADES
Grades are calculated the same way for both courses.
Students are expected to maintain a “C” or better in both courses. If your grade falls below a “C”, you will be placed on probation at the college. After two consecutive semesters on probation, your I-20 may be terminated.
| Attendance | PBR | Quizzes/Homework | Mid-term Exam | Final Exam |
| 13% | 12% | 25% | 25% | 25% |
| Grading Scale | |||||||||||
| A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | C- | D+ | D | D- | F |
| 100-95 | 94-90 | 86-89 | 83-85 | 80-82 | 76-79 | 73-75 | 70-72 | 66-69 | 63-65 | 62-60 | below 60 |
HELPFUL LINKS
- Information about studying in the U.S. https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) http://www.uscis.gov
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) http://www.cbp.gov
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) http://www.dhs.gov
- International Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) http://www.ice.gov/sevis
PHILOSOPHY OF PROGRAM
LFI’s instructional methodology is based on the communicative language teaching method. This method, supported by second language acquisition research, focuses on engaging students in a range of activities that involve meaningful, relevant communication. Simply put, it’s based on the idea that the primary goal of learning a language is to communicate. Making use of real-life, authentic situations encourage students to use and understand the English language. What changes from level to level is the growth and complexity of the communication and an increase in fluency and independence in the ability to respond in English in various settings to a wider range of speakers.
LFI’s curriculum is based on implementing these principles of learning:
LFI’s instructional methodology is based on the communicative language teaching method. This method, supported by second language acquisition research, focuses on engaging students in a range of activities that involve meaningful, relevant communication. Simply put, it’s based on the idea that the primary goal of learning a language is to communicate. Making use of real-life, authentic situations encourage students to use and understand the English language. What changes from level to level is the growth and complexity of the communication and an increase in fluency and independence in the ability to respond in English in various settings to a wider range of speakers.
LFI’s curriculum is based on implementing these principles of learning:
- Students remember and understand English best through a hands-on, learning by doing approach.
- Activities need to be as rich, varied, and meaningful as possible.
- Classes are designed to promote cooperative and collaborative learning.
- Grammar is taught throughout the context of communicative tasks.
- Feedback to student’s errors should always be positive and need not be excessive.
- The classroom atmosphere should be relaxed, friendly, and supportive.
