Intensive English Program - University of Houston
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Language and Culture Center

Intensive English Program

Program Components

  • The Language and Culture Center (LCC) offers three full semester sessions (14 weeks): Fall, Spring, and Summer.
  • The LCC also offers three half semester sessions (7 weeks): Fall II, Spring II, and Summer II.
  • Students may begin their studies in a half semester; however, students must enroll in full semesters following their initial semester start.
  • Each semester start begins with LCC Welcome Week. This mandatory week includes registration, check-in, and New Student Orientation.
  • Each LCC semester includes a variety of student activities.
  • Visit the Learn about Dates and Costs page for important information.
  • Students must take an online placement test at least one month prior to the start of LCC Welcome Week. Details of the placement test are sent to students upon admission to the LCC.
  • The LCC offers six levels of instruction (Level 1: Lower Beginning through Level 6: Upper Advanced). Lower level classes (Levels 1 & 2) are only offered when enrollment and student placement allow. A final decision about course offerings is made at the end of LCC Welcome Week after all new students have registered, checked-in, and been placed into appropriate levels.    
  • The LCC offers small classes, averaging 12-15 students.
  • All classes are taught by instructors with a minimum of a Master's degree. LCC Instructors have academic training and professional experiences in teaching EAL (English as an Additional Language) to adult English language learners.
  • University course observations provide the opportunity for LCC Level 6 students to sit in on a class at the University of Houston to experience the language and academic culture of a university classroom.

English Language Proficiency Waiver (TOEFL/IELTS Waiver)

Students who have successfully completed Level 6 in the Language and Culture Center are not required to provide a TOEFL or an IELTS score while seeking admission to the University of Houston. This applies to all undergraduate programs and a growing number of graduate programs.

Students seeking admission to graduate programs should contact the appropriate admissions advisor about whether the programs would waive the English langauge proficiency requirement based on the successful completion of Level 6. 

Successful completion of Level 6 does not guarantee admission to the University of Houston.

Class Schedule

The LCC provides 20 hours of classroom instruction per week. Each class hour consists of 50 minutes of class and 10 minutes of break time. 

Class schedules are based primarily on placement test scores. When enrollment allows, space availability and a balance of nationalities and gender are also considered when finalizing class schedules. A student must be available to study Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Students will not be able to change their assigned schedule.

For further information, please visit the Class Schedule page. 

Levels of Instruction

The program has six levels of instruction from beginning to advanced. Please visit the Placement and Promotion page for information about how a student is placed in a level and promoted to a higher level. Depending on student numbers and placement each semester, all six levels might not be offered. In these cases, the LCC will work closely with each student to determine the best option for their academic goals. 

Evaluations and Certificates

All students receive instructor evaluations at midterm and at the end of the semester. Students who successfully complete Level 6 receive a Certificate of Graduation. Visit the Certificates and Award page for further information.