WMU News

Classes set to improve English speaking, writing skills of international residents

October 6, 1998

KALAMAZOO -- That big exam or presentation is hanging over your head. Now imagine what it would be like to take that test or speak in front of a group of people using a foreign language.

Those problems are faced by foreign students everywhere. But for international students enrolled at Western Michigan University, students at other Kalamazoo-area colleges and area business persons help is on the way.

The Career English Language Center for International Students at WMU is offering non-credit courses this fall to help people for whom English is a second language.

"We have heard from departments on campus for a long time that there are still students in classes that can use work on their English," Laura Latulippe, center director, said. "These are really courses that are needed and have been asked for a long time."

But there's also a need outside the academic setting, which has been evident at on-site classes the center has offered for area business people, Latulippe said. As a result, the courses, which begin the week of Oct. 26, are being offered to business people, physicians or anyone else in the community whose native language is not English and who would like to increase their English skills.

Courses being offered are:

Advanced Oral Communication and Pronunciation.

Preparing for the Verbal and Writing Sections of the Graduate Management Admissions Test.

Writing Skills for Graduate Students.

Writing Skills for Undergraduate Students.

Building a More Powerful English Vocabulary.

English Grammar Workshop.

Public Speakers of English as a Second Language.

Test of English as a Foreign Language Preparation: The New Computer-Based Test.

The classes cost $250 each and are offered once a week through Dec. 3. Hours are 3 to 4:30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For more information, persons can call (616) 387-4800, send an email message to kimberly.k.smith@wmich.edu or visit the CELCIS office in Room 21-B of Ellsworth Hall to pick up a copy of course descriptions.

Those interested may register at the office from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Media contact: Mark Schwerin, 616 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu


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