ESL STUDENT HANDBOOK Gateway Center, Room 243 75 Grasslands Rd Valhalla, NY 10595 914-606-6656 Welcome to the English Language Institute www.sunywcc.edu/esl
2 Table of Contents Welcome Message 3 Meet Our Team 4 About the ELI 5-6 What to Expect 7 Tips for Success 8 ELI Code of Conduct 9 Travel to the Main Campus 10 Travel to the Extension Centers 11 Technical Matters 12 WCC Email Activation Instructions (English) 13 WCC Email Activation Instructions (Spanish) 14 ESL Pathways to College 15 Libby App Overview 16 Reading Program/Writing Portfolio/Scholarships 17 QR Code for Preregistration 18 Services at SUNY WCC 19 Notes 20
Welcome Message Welcome to the English Language Institute at Westchester Community College! Learning English will open a new world of possibilities and opportunities. We are thrilled you chose us as your language training program, and we are committed to your success. Hello ELI Students, and welcome! We love meeting students from so many different places who are here to learn in our English only classes. Your learning is very important to us. Let us know how we can help you pursue your goals. Claudia Carco Justin Smith Assistant Dean of ESL ELI Director Phone: 914-606-6651 Email: Claudia.Carco@sunywcc.edu Email: Justin.Smith@sunywcc.edu Phone: 914-606-7744 Valhalla IEP, T/Th Evening & EAP; Online Morning 3
Meet Our Team Lesley Painter, Lukas Murphy, Office Assistant Administrative Assistant ESL Program Coordinator ESL Program Coordinator Assistant Director, ELI TESOL Program Coordinator Valhalla M/W Evening, AoF, Business English, Pronunciation & TOEFL; Ossining & Peekskill; Valhalla Sat, online morning and evening; Mt. Vernon, & Yonkers TESOL Certificate Program, Extra English Valhalla Sunday; Ossining, Port Chester, New Rochelle & White Plains Libraries Amy Tobin, Ines Abeijon, Maria Gama, Andrea Santos, Phone: 914-606-7889 Email: Ines.Abeijon@sunywcc.edu Phone: 914-606-6163 Phone: 914-606-8503 Email: Maria. Gama @sunywcc.edu Email: Andrea.Santos@sunywcc.edu Phone: 914-606-7743 Phone: 914-606-6198 Email: Lukas.Murphy@sunywcc.edu Email: Lesley.Painter@sunywcc.edu 914-606-6607 Amy.Tobin@sunywcc.edu 4
About the ELI 5
About the ELI Our History Our classes are for levels 0 to 7, beginner to advanced. Student level is determined by placement test. Each level provides balanced instruction and active practice in all language skills: listening, speaking, grammar, reading & writing. In addition, we offer specialized classes: English for Academic Purposes, Pronunciation, TOEFL, Business English, and Accent on Fluency . Our English-only environment provides maximum language learning. The English Language Institute's ESL program was established in 1988 and is the largest in the SUNY system. We have served thousands of students each semester for over 30 years. Our instructors are professionals in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Our students represent many countries from around the world. Many students study from beginning levels to advanced levels and then go on to get a SUNY WCC degree or certificate. Our Classes Our Teachers & Students Our TESOL Certificate Program (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is a hands-on teacher training program for those interested in teaching English as a Second or Foreign language in the U.S. or abroad. The program provides participants with a perfect balance of theory and practice. Thousands of teachers have been trained since the program began! TESOL Certificate Program 6
What To Expect Balanced Learning A Positive Learning Experience Interactive Classes Our goal is to help you improve your English skills by having a successful and enjoyable learning experience, from the moment you register to the moment you complete our program. We are here for you and want to help you succeed! The English Language Institute uses the communicative method of teaching English as a second language. This means you will work together in pairs and small groups. You will also use English only during your classes with your teachers and classmates. Our classes will provide balanced practice in listening, speaking, reading and writing. You will be required to keep a writing portfolio, which will include the in-class and out-of-class writing assignments you will be doing during your course. 7
Tips for Success 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 Do your homework. Read extensively every day. Post social media in English. Speak English outside of class. Arrive early. Stay until the end. Speak English in class & on break. Watch movies & videos in English. Remember that this is an English only program. Be on time for each class and leave class when dismissed. Get to know native speakers and practice with them often. View shows, movies & YouTube videos with the subtitles on. Create posts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter & WhatsApp. Read books/magazines/newspapers & internet articles for your level. Your teacher will assign activities to reinforce your language learning. 8
ELI Code of Conduct Arrive on time. Do not leave early. Respect break times. Do not plagiarize or cheat on tests. Keep our classroom and desks clean. Smoking, vaping, drugs, and alcohol are not allowed at any of our locations. Listen to other students' opinions and ideas. Learn about their culture and beliefs. Speak English w/ classmates. Do not translate. Please respect our rules to get the most out of your English language learning experience at the English Language Institute. Punctuality Academic Integrity English Only in Class Respect for All Students No Food or Drinks in Class No Tobacco, Drugs or Alcohol *Please see the WCC Student Code of Conduct for more details. www.sunywcc.edu/CMS/wp-content/documents/WCC-Student-Code-of-Conduct.pdf 9
Travel to the Main Campus By Bus By Car By Train Bee-Line Bus: 1C, 1X, 15, 40, 41, 43 See schedule at WCC bus schedule. Closest bus stop is at parking lot 11. Metro North Train: White Plains Station + Transfer to Bee-Line Bus See new.mta.info/schedules GPS Address: 75 Grasslands Rd Valhalla, NY 10595 Parking Lot 1 or 11. Building: Gateway Center; Room 243. 10
Travel to Extension Centers SUNY Westchester Ossining SUNY Westchester Peekskill SUNY Westchester Mt. Vernon SUNY Westchester Yonkers 22 Rocklege Ave, Ossining, NY 10562 Bus routes: 11, 13 Train Lines: Metro North: Hudson 27 North Division St, Peekskill, NY 10566 Bus routes: 14 Train Lines: Metro North: Hudson 843 Kimball Ave, Yonkers, NY 10704 Bus routes: 20, 21, 25, 55 Train Lines: Metro North: Harlem, New Haven 17 S Fifth Ave, Mt. Vernon, NY 10550 Bus routes: 40, 41, 42, 43, 52, 53, 54 Train Lines: Metro North: New Canaan, New Haven 11
Technical Matters Remote Classes Account Activation Student ID Microsoft Office Apps We use Zoom for our online class meetings and Google Classroom for announcements, homework assignments, and class materials. Activate your account with your WCC Userid at mywcc.sunywcc.edu. Go to "Signin or Activate New Account." The ELI will provide your WCC Userid. You can get your student ID at the Security Office on the Main Campus at the Student Center, Room 118. The Security Office phone is 914-606-6730. Every student is given an e-mail account @my.sunywcc.edu. This e-mail account is hosted by Microsoft Office 365. Items included are 1 terabyte of online file storage and Office Apps. 12
Instructions Go to mywcc.sunywcc.edu 1. Click on “Sign In or Activate New Account” 2. Enter your “User ID”. Your User ID is (see above) 3. Click on “Continue” 4. Click on “Activate My User ID” 5. 6.Follow the instructions Security Questions (Choose any 2) 1.What was your childhood nickname? 2.What is your oldest cousin’s first and last name? 3.What is the name of your favorite childhood friend? 4.What street did you live on in third grade? 5.In what city or town did your mother and father meet? 6.What is your oldest sibling’s birthday month and year? Answer to question 1: ______________________________________________________________ Answer to question 2: ______________________________________________________________ Password Rules Do not use your User ID, first name or last name in your password Must have at least 7 characters Use at least 1 uppercase and 1 lowercase letter Use at least one number Password needs at least 3 unique characters Password must not have a sequence of more than 3 of the same character If you have trouble, contact the help desk at MyWCCHelpdesk@sunywcc.edu / 914-606-5600 Your User ID: _______________________ Your Student ID: _______________________ Your SUNYWCC email address: _____________________@my.sunywcc.edu Password: _______________________ WCC Email Activation Instructions Please activate your Westchester Community College Student email account by following the instructions below: 13
Activación de Correo Electrónico Por favor active su cuenta de correo electrónico estudantil de Westchester Community College siguiendo los pasos a continación: Your User ID: _______________________ Your Student ID: _______________________ Your SUNYWCC email address: _____________________@my.sunywcc.edu Contraseña: _______________________ Instrucciones: Vaya al mywcc.sunywcc.edu 1. Haga clic en “Sign In or Activate New Account” 2. Introduzca su “User ID”. Su User ID es (vea arriba) 3. Haga clic en “Continue” 4. Haga clic en “Activate My User ID” 5. 6.Siga las instrucciones Preguntas de Seguridad (Escoja dos) 1.¿Cuál fue un apodo/nombre que tenía en la infancia? 2.¿Cuál es el nombre y apellido del mayor de sus primos? 3.¿Cuál es el nombre de un buen amigo de la infancia? 4.¿En qué calle vivía cuando estaba en el tercer grado de la escuela? 5.¿En qué pueblo o ciudad se conocieron su madre y padre? 6.¿Cuál es el mes y año del cumpleaños del mayor de sus hermanos? Anote aquí la respuesta a la pregunta de seguridad 1: ______________________________ Anote aquí la respuesta a la pregunta de seguridad 2: ______________________________ Reglas para crear su contraseña No utilice su User ID, nombre, ni apellido en la contraseña Debe tener por lo menos 7 letras/símbolos/números Debe usar por lo menos 1 letra en mayúscula y 1 en minúscula Debe usar por lo menos un número/dígito (1, 2, 3...) Debe haber un mínimo de 3 caracteres/símbolos/números únicos No puede haber una secuencia de más de 3 del mismo carácter Si necesita ayuda, contacte al help desk a: MyWCCHelpdesk@sunywcc.edu / 914-606-5600 14
Once you have thought about timing, and about what you’re interested in, you can make an appointment and ELI specialist: https://www.sunywcc.edu/continuing-ed/esl/eslpathways-to-college/ ESL Pathways to College Consult with the ELI: Think about timing: Moving from ESL classes into Westchester Community College Consider what you’re interested in: When do you want to start? Are you thinking of starting in September? January? How much time do you have available to take classes? Can you study full time? Part time? Once you reach level 6 or higher you can consider the possibility of continuing your studies and getting a degree or certificate from Westchester Community College. Are you ready? What should you do? Look over the list of degrees and certificates that WCC offers: https://www.sunywcc.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/ 15
Libby App Overview Step two - select SUNY Westchester Community college in the list of institutions. First step -download Libby from the App or Google Play store on your mobile device. Step three - log in with your SUNY WCC credentials. If you are trying to connect to WCC library, click on Not Yet; then, search for a library. Step four - Borrowed titles appear on your Shelf and download to the app automatically when you're connected to Wi-Fi, so you can read them when you're offline. Use your WCC email address and password to access the WCC library catalog. The Libby app allows you to borrow books and audio books from the WCC library. 16
A writing portfolio is a collection of all your writings in class and at home. All students (with some exceptions) are required to keep a writing portfolio. Your teachers will assign different writing activities every week. We recommend you use a three-ring binder if you are studying in person. Remote classes will keep a digital portfolio. Reading Program The reading program focuses on reading for fun outside the classroom. You can read anything you like and record the minutes you read. Your teachers will then record the time with the ELI. The class that with the most reading minutes will receive a prize. Writing Portfolio 17 Scholarships The English Language Institute offers a very limited number of scholarships every semester. Students must be enrolled in their second consecutive semester to be eligible. Information on when and how to apply is sent out every semester to currently enrolled students. Students will need to fill out an online application and get a recommendation from one of their instructors. For more information: ESLScholarships@sunywcc.edu
Use This QR Code to Pre-register for ESL Classes 1. Open Your Phone's Camera App. 2. Point the camera at the QR Code. 3. Tap sunywcc.edu on the screen. Register at 914-606-6656 Refund policy: 100% refund before 1st class; 50% refund after 1st class; no refund after 2nd class 18
Services at SUNY WCC Food Pantry Health Services College Evaluation Mental Health Services Security Student Support Services Academic Support Center F-1 International Students ELI Registration / Pre-registration Student Center, Room 118 Student Center, Room 181; first aid MentalHealthServices@sunywcc.edu Harold L. Drimmer Library, Room G38 Gateway, Room 243 or www.sunywcc.edu/esl Student Center, Room 206; snacks, lunch, meals Student Center, Room 013; resources, assistance www.sunywcc.edu/continuing-ed/esl/f-1-student-visa 914-606-6470 914-606-6656 914-606-6656 914-606-7744 914-606-6122 914-606-6610 914-606-7431 Emergency: 914-606-6911 Non-emergency: 914-606-6984 914-606-7854 esl@sunywcc.edu 19
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