Summer is coming at the ELI!

The English Language Institute (ELI) is preparing for the summer semester; registration opens on March 31st. Under Assistant Dean Claudia Carco’s leadership, the ELI expects over 2,000 students to register for classes. Indeed, the demand for English classes in Westchester is staggering. The students are typically from Spanish-speaking countries and aim to make the United States their home.

Dean Carco recently said that the ELI’s mission is to support immigrants by empowering them to speak English, thus allowing them to reach their aspirations. Dean Carco has been teaching English for over thirty years and has a deep understanding of the challenges the students face.

Justin Smith, Director of the English Language Institute, added to Claudia’s mission by saying that the ELI aims to equip its students with the skills they need to succeed. The ELI students typically want to secure a job, advance in the workforce, or pursue further education. This creates dynamic and supportive lessons that ensure every student can grow and reach their goals. Justin’s role is critical in supporting and empowering teachers as they transform lives. In many ways, teaching English is a lot more than grammar and vocabulary; it is about fostering confidence and supporting students as they navigate their new lives in the United States.

For more information about programs email: ESL@sunywcc.edu

Haiku Poetry at the ELI

Eugene Ritchie, an instructor in the ELI, is mixing classes up by introducing his students to Haiku poetry. Mr. Ritchie said that it often helps to encourage students’ creative and editorial strengths and also exposes them to different writing genre. Haiku poetry was first introduced by Basho, a Japanese writer, in the 17th Century. This art form has survived all these years and is a great way to express your deepest thoughts, even humor. Students in Mr. Ritchie’s class – IEP (W) -have created their own Haikus based on Basho’s original three-line structure: five syllables/ seven syllables/five syllables.

Eugene said that students often tell him: “That was easier than I thought it would be.” Typically, he encourages them by providing his own examples. When asked why Mr Ricthie likes students to experience new genres and ideas, he said that this helps to two things that are critical to the ESL classroom: “confidence and responsibility are two qualities that should be fostered, among others. Confidence in their writing skills, including the freedom to express themselves “outrageously,” like a maverick so free to run, jump, and buck. Responsibility involves looking up a word to ensure it is the right one; using SpellCheck and Grammarly; rewriting their text if it is sloppy or has numerous crossouts.

Here are the students’ Haiku’s, we hope that you enjoy them:

My lovely Adele Always makes me feel special, Such a joyous cat!
-Angela Avila

I love my sister. My best friend is very nice Let’s go for a walk.
-Polcia Giraldo

I play Piano. I caress its melody; Music fills my soul.
-Tony Coat

Change is a river: Nothing stops its fierce progress; Change really is good.
-Luane Franciulli

Mom’s hand holds me close, Her smile bring serenity; A light in my heart.
-Karen Rodriguez

Communication, Edgar, ours surely could be better You always interrupt me
-Kiara Suarez Rojas

With endless tributes, The slow water falls, cascades The names are silent
-Nubia Discua

Moms are brave women: They do the hard work in life With each one of us.
-Sandra Sanchez

The winter wind blows. Cold whispers across the trees. Silence fills the night.
-Maria Quinde

Small dogs bark nonsense; Best friends for the little ones Who love them dearly.
-Karen Navarro

ESL+ – a new ELI initiative

Learning a language is a difficult and challenging process, requiring patience, and consistent work. It does not happen overnight, which can be both challenging and, sometimes, confounding. Many students often feel overwhelmed, especially when progress seems slow or when they struggle to advance to the next level. Repeating levels or doing badly in lessons is demotivating and in many cases the reason that students drop out of lessons.

Recognizing these challenges, the English Language Institute (ELI) launched a new initiative, ESL+, at the beginning of 2024. This program was designed to support students who were struggling to progress. The ESL + program addresses the students’ difficulties by providing one to one language mentoring by either teacher or high level ELI student volunteers i.e., ELI students who are in levels 5 and above. The volunteer tutors can provide targeted support, or individualized instruction to help students overcome obstacles.The goal is not only to improve their language proficiency but also to restore the students’ motivation and confidence, reinforcing the fact that progress in language learning is not always linear but is always achievable with the right support.

Good luck to our summer ESL+ volunteers!

If you would like more information about this program, please email: TESOL@sunywcc.edu

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