English / ESL

The Lingua Franca Institute

Mission Statement

The mission of the Lingua Franca Institute (LFI) is to create a supportive, encouraging community of learning to increase students鈥 overall confidence and skills in English, helping them attain their personal and academic goals.

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 91影视 University of Virginia (91影视).

Established in 1992, the Lingua Franca Institute is an accredited and SEVP-certified English (ESL) program located just outside 91影视, 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鈥 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

Semester Calendar

SemesterLengthBeginning DateEnding Date
Fall15 weeksearly Septembermid December
Spring15 weeksearly Februarymid May
** For specific beginning and ending dates, see the Academic Calendar.

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.

Contact Information

Admissions Information
admissions.wuv.edu 703.333.5904
Director
Deanna D鈥橝rcy 703.333.5904, ext. 314 [email protected]
Address
91影视 University of Virginia 4300 Evergreen Lane Annandale, VA 22003

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.

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 91影视.
  • Prepare students for college-level class discussions and written work.

Tuition & Fees

  • Tuition rates vary depending on your status.听
  • Tuition includes two courses and placement testing.
  • Books are not included.

Refund Policy

91影视 University of Virginia (and the Lingua Franca Institute) complies with the cancellation and refund policies of SCHEV. Please contact the Admission鈥檚 Office for more specific information.

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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. 鈥楴ormal progress鈥 means that students:

  1. study full-time (minimum of 18 hours/week), and
  2. attend at least 75% of the classes each semester, and
  3. comply with all school policies and financial obligations.
PercentageNumber of Absences PER COURSEResult
100% – 80%5 or fewer absencesGood Standing
79% – 75%6 – 7 absencesNot Good Standing
Under 75%8 or more absencespossible I-20 Termination

Absences can be excused if you provide a note from a medical doctor. Excused absences are not counted in your total absences.

鈥淣ot Good Standing鈥 = 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.

Grades

Grades are calculated the same way for both courses.
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
Students are expected to maintain a 鈥淐鈥 or better in both courses. If your grade falls below a 鈥淐鈥, you will be placed on probation at the college. After two consecutive semesters on probation, your I-20 may be terminated.

Helpful Links

  • Information about studying in the U.S.听
  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)听
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)听
  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)听
  • International Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)听

Philosophy of Program

LFI鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 curriculum is based on implementing these principles of learning:
  1. Students remember and understand English best through a hands-on, learning by doing approach.
  2. Activities need to be as rich, varied, and meaningful as possible.
  3. Classes are designed to promote cooperative and collaborative learning.
  4. Grammar is taught throughout the context of communicative tasks.
  5. Feedback to student鈥檚 errors should always be positive and need not be excessive.
  6. The classroom atmosphere should be relaxed, friendly, and supportive.
Are you ready to take the next step toward your future career?