Lee University’s Department of Language and Literature will offer free English language courses to the community Feb. 7-April 4. The program is specially designed for beginning to low-intermediate English learners and will take place on Thursday nights from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
The ELC (English Learning Center) is directed by Assistant Professor of TESOL and Linguistics Dr. Christopher Blake.
The class is designed to be unlike other programs of its type. The instructors, all of whom are trained in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), work with each student individually to address their specific needs.
“Instead of pulling our curriculum from a box, we design classes that address the specific language needs of our students and their goals for learning English,” said Blake. “All of the instructors in the ELC have been professionally trained in TESOL so they know how to address the unique linguistics challenges that each student faces.”
While the challenges for the students and instructors are considerable, participants from past semesters have found great success in the program. “I started teaching English last semester through the ELC and it really has been an incredible experience,” said instructor Jil Chaney. “I know what it is like to learn a new language, and it isn't easy, but the students work hard. I also have a love for cultures, and there is nothing like walking into a room of eager learners from Colombia, South Africa, China, and India.”
For more information, contact Mr. Blake at cblake@leeuniversity.edu or by phone at 614-8223.