Language and Culture Institute launches English Language Program in National Capital Region, prepares international Fulbright Scholars to attend U.S. universities this fall

The Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute (LCI), newly established in the National Capital Region, launched its first English Language Program (ELP) classes this summer with six international Fulbright scholars from the countries of Chile, Russia, Syria, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan. The students were placed into the LCI by the U.S. Department of State as part of the Fulbright Foreign Student Program which requires international students to complete “pre-academic" English before moving on to earn advanced degrees in a variety of majors at universities across the United States.

According to Andrea Todd, associate director of the LCI in the National Capital Region, after completing the 25-hour program at Virginia Tech’s Northern Virginia Center (NVC), two of the Fulbright scholars have gone on to pursue doctoral degrees, in Systems Engineering and in Mathematics. Three are enrolled in master’s programs, in Economics, International Relations, and Language. The sixth Fulbright scholar, a researcher from Russia, is studying agriculture. The universities where they will be furthering their studies are: Portland State University, George Washington University, Brandeis University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Farleigh Dickinson University, and Kansas State University.

Todd expressed her enthusiasm at having begun the first term of the ELP with such a motivated and exceptional group of students. “The Fulbright scholars added a high level of energy to our mix of international students. Their motivation to succeed in the first of their educational endeavors was an inspiration to other students, and their eagerness to learn American culture led to many fascinating classroom discussions. Weekend activities organized by the LCI also provided them with the opportunity to visit a number of famous monuments and museums in the nation’s capital,” she said.

The LCI at the university’s main campus in Blacksburg has been providing English language training for more than 30 years. “We believe that LCI will play an important role in its expanded presence in the National Capital Region,” said Todd. “Our graduate programs here attract large numbers of international students into its business, engineering, computer science, architecture, and natural resources programs, among others. While many of these students are well qualified with subject matter, often they do not possess the level of English language ability necessary to study in these highly competitive programs.

“The LCI is dedicated to enhancing the English skills of prospective students who are otherwise qualified. We want them to achieve the scores that are necessary to enroll in graduate programs and ultimately to succeed, both in their academic pursuits and professional careers,” Todd said.

The LCI offers classes ranging from High Beginner to Advanced. For the Fall I 2009 term, the LCI also will be offering an elective course, Professional and Business English, for its full-time students and for international students enrolled in, or planning to study, business. Future electives will focus on English for technical fields such as engineering and computer science. Close collaboration with the graduate programs in the National Capital Region will enable and enhance the graduate experience for international students who wish to study at Virginia Tech.

The LCI can issue I-20s for English language study. Classes run from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Friday for a total of 25 hours/week, including a computer-assisted language learning component. The LCI is accredited by the prestigious Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA).

Posted August 20, 2009