HOFT Institute - House of Tutors

Our Story HOFT Institute, formerly known as House of Tutors, has been active in the English as a Second Language field since 1982. Based in Austin, Texas, it operates as a multi-dimensional educational services provider specializing in solutions for the international education market. The institute is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) and is authorized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to issue Form I-20 certificates for international students. Its mission is to deliver high-quality educational services while maintaining a positive professional environment for staff and students. Located near the University of Texas at Austin, HOFT serves a diverse community of approximately 30 nationalities each semester. Programs & Trainings 🎓 Intensive English Program — A full-time immersive ESL track delivering 18 instructional hours per week with beginner through advanced levels. Offers both 2-day and 4-day schedule options for F-1 students, focusing on speaking, listening, reading, writing, and grammar through structured courses and practical communication. 🎓 Part-Time English Program — Flexible individual courses requiring 4.5 hours per course each week with morning and evening possibilities. Includes core courses and advanced electives for students who do not need F-1 status. 🎓 Private English Lessons — One-on-one tutoring sessions tailored to individual ESL and academic goals. Available at $75 per hour with package rates offered upon request. 🎓 Summer Teen ESL Program — A supervised summer experience for students aged 15 and older. Combines morning Intensive English classes (Monday–Thursday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm) with afternoon cultural and recreational activities. Offered in 5-week, 10-week, and 15-week sessions during the summer period. 🎓 ESL for Business — An elective course integrating occupational learning with academic coursework to prepare students for professional English use in corporate environments. 🎓 ESL for the Health Sciences / Medical English — A specialized elective focusing on English language skills required for healthcare and medical fields. 🎓 TOEFL Preparation — Test-prep course offered on demand to prepare students for the TOEFL exam, with discounted exam pricing available for enrolled students. 🎓 IELTS Preparation — Test-prep course offered on demand for students targeting IELTS certification. 🎓 English Literature — An advanced elective providing literary study within the ESL curriculum framework, with 8 to 12 such elective courses offered every semester. 🎓 Test Preparation Tutoring — Customized tutoring for standardized tests as part of the broader tutoring division. 🎓 Academic Subject Tutoring — One-on-one tutoring across a variety of ESL and academic subjects through the House of Tutors service line. 🎓 Test Proctoring — Professional exam proctoring services administered on-site. Specialties 🎯 Intensive English Language Acquisition 🎯 F-1 Student Visa Support and I-20 Issuance 🎯 Part-Time and Flexible ESL Schedules 🎯 English for Specific Purposes (Business & Health Sciences) 🎯 TOEFL and IELTS Test Preparation 🎯 Summer Youth and Teen Cultural Immersion 🎯 Private One-on-One Academic Tutoring 🎯 International Student Transfers and SEVIS Record Management 🎯 Refugee Support and Scholarships 🎯 University Pathway Preparation with TOEFL Waivers Methods & Approach HOFT employs a communicative and immersive teaching model centered on small, interactive classes with a maximum of 10 students for writing courses and 16 students for all other classes. All full-time ESL instructors hold either a master’s degree in a teaching-related discipline or possess many years of ESL teaching experience, and have typically traveled or taught internationally. The institute operates an open enrollment policy allowing students to join throughout the 15-week semester with prorated tuition. The educational center remains open seven days a week, often until 10:00 pm, creating daily opportunities for ESL students to socialize with native English-speaking peers in a campus-like environment next to the University of Texas at Austin. Who It's For The institute welcomes international students seeking F-1 visa status, including those requiring an initial I-20, a change of status to F-1, or a SEVIS record transfer from another U.S. school. It also serves local residents and visitors who do not need a student visa and prefer part-time or private study. The Summer Teen ESL program is designed for high school students aged 15 and older, with the requirement that 15- and 16-year-olds be accompanied by a parent or guardian in the United States. Additionally, HOFT supports refugees through dedicated assistance and scholarships, and provides specialized training for professionals in business and medical fields, as well as students aiming for university admission via TOEFL waiver pathways. Facilities & Practical Info Classes take place at the institute’s main campus at 2400 Pearl Street in Austin’s university district, within walking distance of student housing, restaurants, gyms, medical facilities, and public parks. The site features large, clean classrooms, a recreational games area, a student library, and outdoor picnic and relaxation zones. The administrative office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, while the educational center extends hours seven days a week until late evening. Course materials and extracurricular activity fees are included in tuition pricing. Payment plans and a paid-in-full discount are available. Location Address: 2400 Pearl St, Austin, TX 78705, United States Hours: Office: Monday–Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm; Educational center open seven days a week, often until 10:00 pm The "+" ✅ Over 40 years of continuous ESL instruction in Austin since 1982 ✅ ACCET-accredited and SEVP-certified with I-20 issuance within 48 hours ✅ Small class sizes ensuring personalized attention in an international community of ~30 nationalities per semester ✅ Unique 2-day-per-week schedule option available for advanced F-1 students ✅ Comprehensive English for Specific Purposes electives including Business, Medical/Health Sciences, Literature, and Exam Prep ✅ All-inclusive competitive tuition covering materials and extracurricular cultural activities ✅ Dedicated support for refugees via scholarships and assistance programs ✅ TOEFL waiver partnerships with ACC and other partner institutions for qualified applicants