The ALI's language and Culture Program focuses on improving participants' overall English language ability in an immersive U.S. cultural context. This program provides participants university-level instruction in English reading, vocabulary, speaking, listening, writing, and applied grammar, and cultural programming that includes on-campus and off-campus cultural activities.
Program components
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Summer (July - June)
Fall (August - December) and Spring (January - May)
Participants' proficiency is determined by the ALI's placement exam, CALIOPE. This exam is entirely online. Participants can take it at any time and anywhere in the world!
More information about CALIOPE
The program includes at least one activity per week, sometimes more. The ALI will arrange special activities for participants. Below is a list of possible activities. Specific activities will depend on the time of year, group size, and participant interest.
The ALI's service learning program provides students with the opportunity to practice English in a real-world setting. Since the program began in Fall 2021, students, faculty, and staff at the ALI have volunteered with more than 10 organizations and completed more than 400 hours of service in the Kansas City community.
The ALI will plan at least one service learning opportunity for participants.
Participants of the Language and Culture Program can choose to live in homestays or on-campus dormitories.
Participants living in a homestay have a private room in an American home; bathrooms can be private or shared. The cost for a homestay is $1000 per month and includes breakfast and dinner.
UMKC on-campus housing provides private or shared rooms and bathrooms. The cost varies depending on the semester and the type of room. Participants in on-campus housing during the fall/spring semesters are required to purchase a UMKC meal plan.
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The university sets tuition rates each year. These are usually published in the summer. The costs below are based on the 2022-2023 academic year (fall 2022 - summer 2023). Costs for the 2023-2024 academic year should be avaialable by June 2023.
Participants will purchase textbooks on their own. Textbook costs can vary based on level placement. Contact the ALI about pre-purchasing textbooks.
Summer participants should budget for approximately $50 per day for meals, if not living in a homestay. Homestay participants can expect to spend approximately $12 per day on lunch. Exact meal costs will vary based on individual choices. Fall/spring participants should contact the ALI for meal plan options and prices.
Homestay costs are paid directly to the host. Participants will have the opportunity to communicate directly with their host prior to arrival to agree upon a method of payment. Participants who choose to live in dormitories will be billed by UMKC for housing.
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Fall 2023 and Spring 2024
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| Item | Estimated Cost |
| English Language Instruction1 | $1,439 |
| Cultural Activity Package | TBD |
| CALIOPE | $30 |
| Health Insurance2 | $213 |
1. Includes tuition and university fees
2. All students with a J-1 visa are required to purchase health insurance through UMKC (https://www.umkc.edu/isao/admitted-students/health-insurance.html). Health insurance is $213 per calendar month.
