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The English Language Center promotes effective, high-quality instruction of English for speakers of other languages. It seeks to develop in students a respect for the dignity and worth of the individual, a capacity for critical reasoning, a general desire for learning, and the capacity to evaluate their on-going language learning needs. It fosters the continuing improvement of its faculty by encouraging research, scholarship, and professional development. The English Language Center is committed to presenting the depth and variety of the United States to students and faculty while encouraging a lively curiosity about all cultures of the world.

As an important unit at Â鶹´«Ã½, its primary goal is to enhance the mission of the public, urban, postsecondary institution. In striving to achieve this goal, the English Language Center seeks to:

• Facilitate the university's international recruiting efforts by providing a high-quality, reasonably priced, intensive English language program.
• Prepare Â鶹´«Ã½ students for academic success by improving their English language skills.
• Provide expertise to the university community on issues related to the teaching and assessment of English for speakers of other languages.
• Prepare international graduate students and, when requested, international faculty for effective instruction of American students.
• Assist in the promotion of economic development in the Hampton Roads area by providing high-quality English language instruction for international business people and military personnel, and by developing special programs for groups of international professionals.
• Enhance the university's linkage with overseas institutions by providing special short-term English language instruction for groups of students from overseas institutions.
• Serve as a community resource in providing information on the teaching of English to speakers of other languages both within the United States and overseas.
• Provide professional English language instruction for international students seeking an immersion experience in the United States to complement the academic curriculum at their home institutions.