Catalyst: A Multidisciplinary Review of Undergraduate Scholarship

The English Language Institute

Amaziah Coleman

The English Language Institute (ELI) of the University of Southern Mississippi is an intensive English language program designed to help international students learn English. The ELI is committed to superior teaching and intellectual achievement and strives to encourage language learning in reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in cross-cultural understanding. The English Language Institute is of importance for international students, but equally important is the Institute’s value to American students. The ELI offers the opportunity for university students to broaden their cultural awareness and to become part of a global university.

“...[F]oreign students, who were predominantly Latin American students, coming to study at the college had problems becoming acclimated to an American school that stemmed from their lack of English proficiency and the differences in cultures and customs.”

The ELI’s mission states, “The English Language Institute of The University of Southern Mississippi delivers quality intensive English instruction for international students. The program, which accommodates students from beginning to advanced language proficiency, is administered by a professional, experienced faculty dedicated to providing English as a second language (ESL) instruction via proven methodology. The ELI fosters cross-cultural awareness within the university and the community by offering ELI students opportunities of interaction with native English speakers both on and off campus.”

The history of the English Language Institute began with the Institute of Latin American Studies, which was founded in January 1947 by Colonel Melvin G. Nydeggar, head of the Department of Foreign Languages, and Dr. R. C. Cook, President of Mississippi Southern College. Colonel Nydeggar had long observed that foreign students, who were predominantly Latin American students, coming to study at the college had problems becoming acclimated to an American school that stemmed from their lack of English proficiency and the differenceFebruary 9, 2007 2:56 PM>9, 2007 2:35 PMblems more acute between their culture and American culture.

To alleviate these conditions, the Institute of Latin American Studies began a dual mission of teaching English and the American way of life to Latin American students, and teaching Spanish and the Latin American way of life to American students. Consequently, the Institute offered four special ten-week non credit English courses annually for Latin American students, and one ten-week intensive Spanish course in the summer for American students.

Over the years, the reputation of the Institute spread beyond the borders of Latin America. As a result, the name was changed to the English Language Institute in 1970. The English Language Institute currently operates as part of the Center for International and Continuing Education. One of the ELI’s primary attributes is extensive English conversation. The classes of the ELI are arranged in several levels. One course lasts for eight weeks, and many students stay in the program for several years. The majority of students who attend the ELI stay at Southern Miss. Many of those who go home or go to other schools to study come back to the ELI because it offers the intense English conversation they need. Today, the primary purpose of the intensive English program is to prepare foreign students for entrance to an American university by teaching the English language and providing the students with an exposure to American culture, customs, and university life.

“The ELI offers the opportunity for university students to broaden their cultural awareness and to become part of a global university.”

Three ELI students chose to share their opinions about the program. Aya Tsuzuki is an ELI student from Japan. Aya has chosen to participate in the ELI program because the tuition was very manageable based on her circumstances. She states that she prefers Southern Miss because she is less intimidated by a small town like Hattiesburg than a large metropolis. Aya believes she has learned a great deal about American culture and current events through the ELI program, and her favorite thing about the program is being able to talk with American friends and friends of other cultures whom she has met as part of the ELI. Aya enjoys learning about foreign countries and is interested in becoming an international studies major. Aya wants to be able to use her time at the ELI to create opportunities to attract more international visitors to Japan.

Jenny Fernanda Quintero is an ELI student from Colombia. Jenny chose the ELI at Southern Miss because it is an older program with better experience. She likes the program because the teachers explain the material well. She likes the fact that her teachers have books with detailed illustrations to help her understand the topics. Even though she spends 25 hours a week in class, every day is different. Jenny says that her English speaking, grammar, and listening skills have greatly improved. Jenny is pursuing a career in English and will travel to Singapore to attain a master's degree in English. Her favorite thing about the program is the teachers because they give information well and help the students feel comfortable and safe. "They are like parents for us. They try to take care of us."

Ligia Feo is from Argentina. Ligia also agrees that her favorite thing about the ELI program is the teachers. "They know what they can do to help you learn very fast." Because students will not be in the program for a long time, Ligia believes that the teachers are effective because they have a plan to teach a lot of material in a short time. Ligia agrees that the ELI program has been beneficial in helping her achieve her goals because she plans to remain in the United States to study music performance and music education. While in the program, she says that her grammar has greatly improved, as well as her reading and writing.

Amelia Steadman shares her experience as a tutor for the ELI program. Amelia says her experience as a tutor has been "absolutely incredible." She has been able to meet students from all over the world and learn about their lives and cultures while sharing her culture and language with them. "Having international students is, in my opinion, imperative for a university community. To read about other cultures is one thing, but to interact with people of other cultures is to truly experience a culture and its ideas. Often ELI students possess much different opinions and values than those held by many Americans, February 9, 2007 2:56 PMto a global perspective. Likewise, the Americans are able to share their opinions with the international students. Often these students will be leaders in their home countries; therefore, many of their experiences as students in America will shape their thoughts -- and possibly their government's policy toward America. Therefore, as American students, we must act as "ambassadors" and welcome them to our country. But perhaps more than that, these students often find themselves feeling lonely and confused in a new country with a new language and new values. I think as Americans and as university students, we should make these visitors feel welcome."

“Today, the primary purpose of the intensive English program is to prepare foreign students for entrance to an American university by teaching the English language and providing the students with an exposure to American culture, customs, and university life.”

American students attending The University of Southern Mississippi can and should make use of the English Language Institute. There a several opportunities available. One can become a tutor if interested. The ELI welcomes tutors and matches availability based on student schedules. Two hours per week is the most time required of tutors. That time is implemented for one hour, twice a week, and a tutor commits to a six-week time period. Most tutoring sessions consist of a small group of two or three students. A tutor's job is to hold a conversation with the ELI students. One may answer questions about American culture, interests, etc. ELI students may also tutor American students in their native languages. If, however, becoming a tutor is not of interest, one can still take advantage of the ELI. All American students are invited to visit international students at the ELI. Students may go shopping, eating on or off campus, visiting an American student's home on weekends or holidays, etc. The opportunities are endless. One of the best benefits of the ELI is that it offers a chance to develop a friendship. Now is an opportune time to become involved in the program because just meeting an international student and getting to know him or her would make one's college experience more than average. Through the ELI, the world is brought to the American student. Make use of the English Language Institute. Become acquainted with an international student and learn more than you ever imagined.

For more information about how to become involved with the English Language Institute, please refer to the information below. Contact Information: The University of Southern Mississippi
Telephone: (601) 266-4337
English Language Institute
Fax: (601) 266-5723
118 College Drive #5065
E-mail: eli@usm.edu
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
Ann Morris, ELI Program Manager

Amaziah Coleman is a junior biological sciences (pre-medicine) major from Richton, Mississippi. She is an Honors College scholar and ambassador for the Honors College. Amaziah is a Luckyday Foundation Citizenship scholar and currently serves as a member of the Luckyday Executive Team where she is the Office of Community Service Learning Chair. Amaziah is also involved in Alpha Epsilon Delta, IMAGE, Future Medical Doctors Association, and College of Science and Technology Ambassadors. She is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Golden Key International Honor Society, Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society, and was a member of Southern Style 2004. Amaziah is honored to be a President's List and Dean's List scholar, a Dr. Ronald E. McNair scholar, and a Mississippi Alliance for Minority Participation scholar. Amaziah enjoys reading, writing, playing the piano and flute, and volunteering. She presently volunteers as a Stephen L. Hatten Pre-Medical Extern. After graduation, Amaziah plans to attend medical school and become a pediatrician.