Overview

The Sandi Port Errant Language and Culture Learning Center (LCLC) seeks to improve second language learning and professional development through the use of technology and advanced language and culture teaching materials. Additionally, LCLC plays a key role in providing an environment that brings together faculty, students, research associates, members of the local language communities, who share an interest in language and cultural studies.

LCLC and LAS

The Language and Culture Learning Center is located within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). LCLC collaborates with LAS by partnering with the language departments to effectively utilize multimedia applications in foreign language and culture courses. Additionally, the center provides services and resources for language and culture studies to students and faculty. UIC represents diversity itself, with a student body consisting of students from all over the world and different ethnicities. Currently more than 7,200 UIC students are enrolled in language and cultural classes. LCLC strives to create cultural understanding amongst its diverse student body and to extend UIC’s presence and capacity for innovation and instructional delivery.

Grand Opening

Sidney L. Port, UIC graduate and longtime UIC benefactor, donated generously for the renovation of Grant Hall to be reconstructed into a massive 17,000 square foot Language and Culture Learning Center. The center was named in memory of his daughter, Sandi Port Errant, who was a philanthropist and a noted leader in a wide range of local charities and cultural institutions during her lifetime.

Physical Facilities

The Sandi Port Errant Language and Culture Learning Center is located in the UIC building Grant Hall (GH). The comprehensive center features formal and informal study spaces, a writing and tutoring center, classrooms designed with “smart technologies” and access to live television broadcasts of news and cultural programming from around the world.

There are two multi-media classrooms that hold up to 48 students featuring recording capabilities, cameras and high definition video conferencing capabilities. The seminar room contains conference style tables, seats up to 20 students, and has a wireless projection screen and internet access. There is one computer classroom containing 24 work stations equipped with tablet PC’s, and the latest language teaching software. An open access computer lab with 24 work stations for individual use is located on the 3rd floor. The Language Oasis is a social space for students and faculty to gather or for the use of special events and cultural discussions. This room is also equipped with two flat screen TV’s showing Dish network international programming. It provides language students a friendly learning environment and motivates cross-cultural learning experiences.

Services

In keeping with the overall goal of improving language learning and teaching at UIC the center offers a multitude of services which include: assisting with the preparation of instructional material; providing workshops and one-on-one consultations for faculty, TAs and language instructors concerning applications of new technologies in instruction; loaning of technology equipment for instructional purposes; hosting cultural events, discussion series and research activities.