The English Language Program celebrated it’s 30th birthday this fall with it’s alumni, academic partners, friends, and well-wishers. Provost April Mason was the guest of honor. Returning ELP alumni, Akihiko Tachiyama, who graduated from K-State in the 90’s was excited to share in the celebration.
Purple Power Play in the Park
This fall one of our Social Hangout events included going to the Purple Power Play in the Park. The students enjoyed winning prizes, spraying their hair fun colors, and seeing live bands perform among the many activities throughout City Park. The night even ended with fireworks; what a way to start the semester!
Our Visit to the Buffalo Ranch
Setting a bit of a tradition, this fall a group of students went to the Lazy Heart D Bison Ranch and got the chance to feed and learn about the buffalo (and then later taste some buffalo burgers). The ranch owner, Ed, has met many international students over the years and impressed many of our students with his ability to speak some Chinese. Students learned a little about the history of the ranch land and were able to hand-feed the bison.
Summer 2016 Chilean Short Program: Visiting Students (part 2)
This summer the English Language Program at Kansas State University hosted a group of students from Universidad Central de Chile. This was a cultural exchange program for 12 students. Above you will be able to see the presentations created by the students as well as hear the instructors’ impressions and reflections from their interactions with the visiting students.
Summer 2016 Chilean Short Program: A Trip to Chile (part 1)
Two of the English Language Program’s instructors, Ketty Reppert and Taylor Jennings, visited Universidad Central de Chile in the spring to plan for this summer’s student visit. Their interview follows above.
Spring 2016 Award Ceremony
Every semester the English Language Program recognizes it’s higher achieving students with certificates and tolken gifts of K-State memorabilia. The Spring 2016 Awards were even more special because this semester’s theme was Dr. Seuss and students were presented with a copy of Suess’ book “Oh the Places You’ll Go!”. Please enjoy the background slideshow and images of this semester’s award winners.
ELP Pre-Enrollment for Exit Level Students
Pre-Enrollment Orientation for Exit-Level Transitioning Students is the most publicly celebrated of English Language Program events. On this special day exit-level students learn about campus resources that they will need and use when they continue forward into academic classes. Outstanding exit-level students are recognized and awarded. Following this, students meet with the advisers and deans of their colleges in order to enroll in their next semester’s classes.
Our guest of honor for this event was the Vice Provost of Undergraduate Studies Steven Dandaneau. A previous graduate of the English Language Program who is now majoring in Agricultural Economics, Yue Yang, offered a few words of wisdom and encouragement.
Where The Buffalo Roam…
Earlier in the semester we were able to take 26 students out to Lazy Heart D Ranch, near Westmoreland, KS. The ranch is runby Mr. and Mrs. Ed Dillinger, who raise bison, horses, and chickens. The tour began with some history and orientation of the bison, then we loaded into the wagon and rode out to pasture to visit and feed the bison.
On our way back, we stopped at the original building site of Wamego’s Dutch Mill that now sits in Wamego’s City Park. Then we returned and ate bison burgers, while chatting and listening to stories. Below are pictures from this unique Kansas experience.
Life After ELP
We would like to highlight the success of Youwei Yang, in his academic endeavors! He is a former ELP student and has gone on to be an active contributor on campus and in his department. Please watch the video below to find out more about all he has done!
ELP Tutoring
What is ELP tutoring?
ELP (English Language Program) tutoring is a service that began in January 2015, temporarily housed in the International Technology Commons (ITC), to offer international students, especially the ELP students, one-on-one, face-to-face English language help including writing, grammar, reading, vocabulary, speaking, listening, and pronunciation. The mission of this service is to provide international students with professional English assistance, support them in their language development, and facilitate students’ independent learning ability so that they can achieve their goals. All tutors are professionally trained in working with ESL students. We also offer conversational activities once per week to help international students improve conversational skills and make friends. In August 2015, we relocated to a new facility named the ELP Testing and Tutoring Center (TTC) at Wildcat Landing.
Who has the ELP tutoring been serving?
Over the past nine months of service, we have been serving the following groups of internationals:
* ELP students who need the English language help
* Full-time university students (both undergraduate and graduate) who need general writing, speaking, and listening help
* Teaching assistants who needs to pass a speaking proficiency test
* Community members who want to improve their English skills
What are the benefits of ELP tutoring for the students?
By receiving assistance from the ELP tutoring,
* students get academic support to acquire English language skills needed to achieve academic or other goals from tutors who are professionally trained in ESL
* students become independent learners
* students boost their confidence in their language use
* graduate students pass the English speaking proficiency test to secure financial support from their departments to fund their educational studies
* community members acquire the English knowledge needed to be assimilated into the American society
