University Daily Kansan, February 20, 1985
CAMPUS AND AREA
24
Page 10
Center helps foreign students adjust
By PATRICIA SKALLA Staff Reporter
He came to the University of Kansas from Lebanon, afraid to use his limited knowledge of English. But now, Jihad Mohakam can confidently interact in American society.
Moukadam is one of 325 students who take classes through the Applied English Center.
Betty Soppelsa, director of the center, said Monday that the center screened new students who were not native English speakers to determine whether they were eligible for a full academic load. Then, the center provides instruction for those who are not proficient in English.
The students whom the center helps come from about 50 countries.
"At least 25 percent of new students don't need the AEC at all," Soppela said.
MANY OF THEM have grown up in a country in which English is used as a second language, she said. Others may have to take classes only in one.
During the students' first few day, at KU, they must take an exam to determine how proficient they are in English. To be exempt from courses at the center, students must score at least 83 percent on the exam.
Inguegy Lee, who came to KU from Taiwan two months ago, said he had trouble with English despite 10 years of instruction.
'The general theory in teaching English is that you don't speak English in the classroom. In the beginning, we start with very obvious things.'
—Betty Soppelsa,
director, Applied English Center
"I understand a lot, but speaking is the most difficult," he said.
Shahin Salami, an Iranian who has been at KU for about a month, said he found writing the hardest skill to master. English has many words, he said. In Iran, the vocabulary is not as large.
Students are put into classes according to how well they score on the exam. They take classes in four areas: reading, writing, grammar and math. Each class has four different levels, and each section meets every day.
KAREN ERB, a graduate teaching assistant, said that because the students were together five days a week in all of the classes, a camaraderie developed among them.
She said the students were encouraged to talk to one another through role playing, dividing into small groups and calling on one another for help before asking the teacher.
"They come to depend on each other," she said.
Lee said he enjoyed the classes because he was able to learn English well.
English is taught not only through texts, Soppelsa said, but also through
videos, filmtrips, tape recordings and class discussion.
"The general theory in teaching English is that you don't speak English in the classroom," she said. "We start with very obvious things."
SOPPELSA SAID students at the first level were usually highly motivated. At more advanced levels, students sometimes become frustrated.
Erb said that when some students became discouraged, they worked harder. Because attending college is costly, many students can't afford to spend too much time learning English.
Mokadam said he wanted to take a math course that was required for his computer science degree. However, the section conflicted with one of his courses at the time and told him he needed to work to develop his skill in that area, so he could not take the math course.
Soppela said students moved from one level to the next by scoring at least 83 percent on a test at the end of each semester. Teachers also report the students' progress at midterm as well as at the end of the semester.
"ONCE IN A while, a single individual may not be skillful at language learning." she said.
When this happens, the student is tutored so he or she can receive extra help.
Erb said, "Some have genuine problems and some just don't work with us."
After arriving, the students in the course took an hour course called American Society.
The purpose of the course is to acquaint foreigners with U.S. culture. The class explains where to get the right clothes for the Kansas state to get medical care and how to ask for help in a class, Soopela said.
Soppelaş the center also tried to plan excursions and social events. The students have gone shopping in the city's mall, Soppelaş and roller skated at a local rink.
"The students aren't just learning words. They are learning how Americans communicate with each other," she said.
Q10
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