GREETINGS & GENERAL INFORMATION     back

I. Greetings

The faculty and staff at the English Language and Culture Center (ELCC) welcome you to our program and our community.  During your stay at the ELCC, we are available to support you in meeting your academic objectives and to assist you in getting settled.  We are here to help you.  Please feel free to visit us if you encounter any difficulties, have questions about your classes, immigration matters, or your life at Lansing Community College, or just when you need someone to talk to.We look forward to working with you.

II.  General Information

Lansing Community College (LCC) is a public two-year institution located in Lansing, Michigan.  Michigan is the eighth largest state in the United States, and Lansing is its capital.  The college campus is located a few blocks away from state government buildings and five miles from Michigan State University.

LCC is  the third largest of 29 community colleges in Michigan. It offers over 2,500 courses to more than 17,000 students.  The college confers associate degrees to its graduates, who can then transfer to four-year colleges and universities.

The English Language and Culture Center (ELCC) at the college provides English language instruction primarily to international students who need to improve their English skills before beginning college-level academic courses.  The Center also provides customized English language and American culture instruction to groups that need specialized programs for professional or other purposes.

Admission to the ELCC program requires a minimum TOEFL score of 300 on the paper-based TOEFL test (or 40 on the computer-based TOEFL test). Enrollment at the ELCC is limited to the study of English at the Center.  At present, admission to regular academic programs at LCC requires a minimum TOEFL score of 500 on the paper-based test (173 on the CBT, 61 on the IBT), or a Michigan State University ESL Proficiency Test score of 75.  However, these requirements may be waived with the ELCC director’s recommendation upon a successful completion of the ELCC program.

CURRICULUM     back

The ESL program at the ELCC currently offers American English language instruction in grammar, writing, reading, and speaking/listening at the following six (6) levels:
 

Beginning II
Intermediate I
Intermediate II
Advanced I
Advanced II
Advanced III

The ESL courses and weekly classroom contact hours are as follows

In addition, TOEFL preparation classes (3 contact hours weekly) are also offered.

Some courses may include a lab component of one or more hours per week.  Lab activity may include computer-based lessons, listening lab, library research and outside reading, or other assigned activities.

Note: Not all the levels of each course are offered each session.  Course offerings in each
            session depend upon the backgrounds of students enrolled.

The ELCC occasionally offers some tutorial services to students who need them.  It also organizes social and cultural activities for students with American students and families, such as field trips, picnics, and recreational events.

Below is an overview of orientation, registration, and schedule adjustment procedures.  All new students at the ELCC will be registered according to these procedures.

To apply, submit the following: (1) completed application form, (2) supporting financial documents,  (3) a passport-size picture, (4) a record of English proficiency.  (See the application form for details).

After being admitted to the ELCC, you must attend the orientation meeting and take placement tests.  Placement tests are given to all new students to determine the appropriate level of study.  The tests may include a timed writing sample, grammar, reading, and aural comprehension.  You will be placed in each skill area according to your test scores.  It is possible for you to be placed in different levels in each skill area.

All students, new and returning, register for the courses at the ELCC office on designated dates.  The course fee must be paid at the time of the registration.  Payment must be made by check, money order, or traveller’s check to Lansing Community College.  You may also pay by credit card.  All new students with an F-1 visa status who are below the advanced level must be enrolled full time--24 hours a week.  However, with the permission of the lead faculty and the director, a new student may be allowed to enroll for 18 hours a week.  All other F-1 students must be enrolled for a minimum of 18 hours a week.

Schedule adjustment (change) is allowed during the first week of classes.  You need to obtain approval from the instructors and the lead faculty. 

LCC does not offer financial assistance to international students who are enrolled in a language training program like the ELCC.  It is the responsibility of the students to have the necessary funds for educational expenses, health insurance premiums, and living costs.

For advanced-level students, concurrent enrollment in both the ELCC program and a regular LCC academic program may be allowed with the permission of the director

See office staff for further information.

Transfer to a regular academic program at LCC is possible under one of the following situations:

(1)  Obtaining a TOEFL score of 500 on the paper-based test (173 on the CBT, 61 on the IBT);
(2)  Successful completion of the ELCC program; or
(3)  Achieving the basic skills test scores of Level 5 in reading and Level 6 in writing.

If you have any questions regarding any of the following information, please contact the ELCC office.

The cost of medical care is very expensive in the U.S.  Therefore, all international students are required to have medical insurance.  If you do not already have health insurance, ask for information on possible policies at the ELCC office.

If you are sick and need to see a doctor, it is recommended that you go to a clinic. Walk-in clinics, such as the Delta Medical Center, are available in both Lansing and East Lansing.  They see patients without an appointment.  You can find a listing of them in the Yellow Pages of the phone book under "Clinics."  If you have an emergency, you can go to the "Emergency Room" at a hospital, such as Sparrow, St. Lawrence Hospital, or Ingham Regional Medical Center.

Lansing Community College does not have campus housing (dormitories).  However, there are many apartments in Lansing and East Lansing.  You can obtain housing information at the ELCC office or at the Student Life Office (Room 2473 GVT Building).

a.   Location:  some areas are not as safe or convenient as others.
b.  Signing a Lease: a lease is a contract that you sign saying you will  live in that apartment for a
     specified period.  It lists the rights and obligations for both you and the landlord.
c.  Utilities (electricity and gas) and Phone: you should inquire whether or not utility and phone
     charges are included in the monthly rent.

CATA is the local bus service for Lansing, East Lansing, Haslett, and Okemos.  To obtain a "System Guide," which tells the bus numbers, routes, and schedules, contact the ELCC office. The cost for riding the bus is:
 

a.  $14.00 for a one-month pass for unlimited rides (with a student ID)
b.  $45.00 for a student semester pass (good for 5 months with a student ID)
c.  $1.00 per ride (without a student ID)
d.  50 cents per ride (with a student ID)

LCC has an International Club which meets every other Monday.  The Club has members from over 25 different countries.  If you are interested in joining the Club, visit the Student Life Office at Room 230, Gannon Building  (GB), or call (517) 483-1285.

The ELCC students can obtain an E-mail account free of charge.  After you have registered and are assigned a student number at the ELCC office, you can go to any computer on campus and open an E-mail account by clicking Student E-mail & On-line Resources and Services through the LCC home page (http://www.lcc.edu).  If you have questions about E-mail accounts, ask at the ELCC office.

The ELCC students are entitled to use LCC library services and computer labs. You need a valid student ID to do so.  To have your student ID validated, ask at the ELCC office. The library is located on the second floor of the Technology Learning Center Building (Room 200 TLC).  Its hours are 7:45-9 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 7:45-4 p.m., Friday, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday.  For more information, call (517) 483-1888.Computer labs are located on the first floor of the TLC Building and several other locations on campus.

If you need assistance with special equipment, braille materials, etc. for attending classes, the Office of Disability Support Services may be able to provide assistance.  For further information, call (517) 483-1184 or visit Room 204, Gannon  Building (GB).

There are many churches in Lansing and East Lansing.  There are two synagogues and a mosque.  Consult the Yellow Pages of your phone book.