jelt.7.4.13765 Understanding the Dynamics of Language Centers in School Setting Josephine B. Alarcon Journal on English Language Teaching 2249–0752 7 4 25 34 10.26634/jelt.7.4.13765 Language Centers, English for Specific Purposes (ESP), Purpose, Programs, and Practices Language Centers (LC) are gaining local and international reputation for their contribution to English language training or proficiency. However, despite their widespread phenomenon, there is dearth in literature about them locally, or even perhaps globally. Using phenomenology, this paper aimed to explore the dynamics of language centers by identifying their purpose, programs, and practices. Data were gathered through in-depth interview with five language center directors. These LCs are all university-situated. Results of the interview surfaced three important concepts about the dynamics of language centers concerning their purpose which is termed what to harness, their programs termed what to highlight and practices termed how to handle. LCs exist basically to improve proficiency of non-native speakers of English, their language programs are flexible because they are based on the language needs of the clienteles /learners, while linkages make these LCs more profitable or successful. October - December 2017 Copyright © 2017 i-manager publications. All rights reserved. i-manager Publications http://www.imanagerpublications.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=13765