English Language & Culture Program

Mission Statement

The English Language and Culture Program is designed to help students enhance their English language proficiency while immersing them in the cultural richness of English-speaking societies.

Program Goals

• Provide classroom settings which give international students a positive environment to learn English, American culture, and the United States educational system.

• Partner with other constituencies in enhancing the social, spiritual, and educational development of international students.

• Represent and advocate for the needs of international students within Avila and the greater Kansas City community.

• Expand the diversity of Avila’s student population by recruiting international students for the Avila community.

• Increase cultural awareness in the Avila community by providing opportunities for cross-cultural learning between students from different countries.

Outcomes

The goal of the ILCP/ESL program is to equip international students with the English needed for daily and academic life in the United States. The ILCP students will meet the following program objectives:

Outcome 1.

Acquire an understanding of the United States educational system. (All EL courses)

Outcome 2.

Demonstrate an understanding of the grammatical structure of the English language. (EL 081 , EL 082 , EL 083 , EL 184 )

Outcome 3.

Demonstrate the English speaking and listening skills necessary for both daily and academic life. (EL 031 , EL 032 , EL 061 , EL 062 , EL 063 , EL 164 ) 

Outcome 4.

Demonstrate students’ English writing ability through the writing process and various rhetorical modes. (EL 055 , EL 056 , EL 091 , EL 092 , EL 093 , EL 194 )

Outcome 5.

Demonstrate the English reading and vocabulary skills needed to function at an academic level. (EL 071 , EL 072 , EL 073 , EL 174 )

Assessment

• The outcomes for the Intensive Language and Culture Program are assessed through a combination of course key assessments such as quizzes, examinations, oral presentations, and written assignments.
• Program outcomes are also assessed through multiple TOEFL test performances.

Note

See program course offerings under the “EL” course descriptions.

Criteria for Admission

ELCP - English Language and Culture Program - Undergraduate Level

This program intends to allow international students who may not meet our current minimum English proficiency scores (either for undergraduate or graduate programs) to be able to be admitted into the ELCP program has a gateway to entering their discipline of choice. The student will work through the ELCP program until they reach the required English proficiency and then be fully admitted into their academic program of choice. 

Admissions Standards:

English Proficiency

• TOELF exam - 450 paper / 45 online or higher
• IELTS exam - 4.0 or higher
• Duolingo score - 60 or higher
• Pearson PTE - 30 or higher

Minimum GPA

• Undergraduate 2.5 or higher (4.0 Scale)
• Graduate 2.75 or higher (4.0 Scale) - (*2.5 to 2.74 will be reviewed for exceptions)

Residency

• Students must live on the Avila University Kansas City Campus.
• Program is delivered on campus in the face-to-face classroom experience.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for admission:

• Minimum Age: Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of the application. Exceptions may be made for younger applicants under specific circumstances, such as participation in special programs or through partner institutions.
• Educational Background: Applications should have completed secondary education or equivalent. No prior formal education in English is required. 
• English Proficiency: No minimum English proficiency is required for admission to the general ELP. However, applicants may be asked to complete a placement test to determine their starting level in the program.