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CAMPUS/AREA
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Friday, April 30, 1993
3
Proficiency classes stifle advancement
Students call tests restrictive
Kansan staff writer
By Kathleen Stolle Kenson staff writer
Lucky Ogbueho hopes his name's at work for him tomorrow.
That's when he and 316 other international students enrolled in the Applied English Center will take the exam to determine their futures at the University of Kansas.
If Ogewe is unlucky and fails to test out of the center, the 25-year-old Nigerian says the University of Kansas may become just a memory.
"I might decide to find somewhere else," he says.
ese. these.
Of KU's 1,953 international students, only about 4 percent come from countries where English is the first and generally only language. Like many of his international peers,
Ogheme must prove his English proficiency before he can take a full load of University classes.
Spending another semester taking AEC classes, for which students pay full nonresident tuition but do not receive University credit, is viewed by some as a roadblock rather than a stepping stone.
Ironically, the most prevalent complaint from students is that which administrators consider the AEC's greatest strength — its multiple skill levels and high standards.
"I'm learning English in the AEC, but the problem is they have five levels and if you don't jump levels, you need about two years to finish," said Alex DeLeon, Panama junior.
The University requires new international students to take the AEC English proficiency exam if their Test of English as a Foreign Language scores are below 570 or they show a decided weakness in grammar, listening and understanding, writing or reading.
Students who pass the AEC's English proficiency exam, which covers the same basic areas, can take a
full load of regular University courses. Those who fail any or all of the sections end up in classes at a level matched to their skills. Students placed in levels one and two may not take any University courses. Those in levels three through five may take some KU classes, depending on the number of open hours remaining in their schedules after English.
For students such as DeLeon, who is on a two-and-a-half year scholarship, time is of the essence. As a level-one student, DeLeon hopes that by the summer of 1995, he'll have his economics degree.
"Finished or not, I'll have to go back to Panama." he said.
Susan Grace, counselor at the AEC,
said that the center tried to accommodate students at KU under scholarship time constraints.
"We go out of our way to help those students as much as possible," she said. "Sometimes we work with the sponsoring agency and get them to extend the scholarship. There's a limit, though, to how far we can go out to help the student."
director, said that the average level-one student tested out of the center after about 12 months and that advanced-level students became integrated within their first or second semesters.
However, Betty Soppelsa, AEC
"I'm not going to spend another semester in AEC," she said. "No way I bored with it."
Paraguy freshman Gabriela Godoy can attest to KU's high standards. She scored 569 on the TOEFL, missing the cutoff by one point, and was required to take the AEC exam. Godoy said that because the test was given only four hours after she arrived in Lawrence, her scores did not reflect her true abilities. Now, she's unchallenged by her two AEC classes and determined to test out.
Grace agreed that the original placement test may not always be accurate. During the first several weeks of classes, students who prove to be superior to their peers are moved to a higher level, she said.
When the students take the exam tomorrow, their scores will be only one of several factors considered in making placement decisions for next
semester Attendance, class grades and teacher input are also vital to where a student is placed, she said.
*Typically, the students move up one level at a time.* *Grace said.*
The international students' general consensus that the AEC is challenging is not just a figment of their imagination.
She said that similar student concerns could be found at most institutions where instruction for English as a second language was provided.
Donna Davis, director of Kansas State University's International Student Center, attests to the center's reputation.
"The University of Kansas programs have an incredible reputation for a lot of things," she said. "First of all, for the integrity of the programs. Also, they're very sensitive to the welfare of the students."
Another widely held belief among international students is that they should receive University credits, not just letter grades, for the AEC Classes, or not have to pay the full $3,300 non-resident tuition.
"I'm taking 17 credits here, and it's like I'm wasting 12 credits at AEC," said Juan Galan, Panama freshman. "People say this is one way to take the money of the students without giving credit."
She said most universities in the United States did not award credit for English as a second language.
Soppelaa said that when the program was founded in 1964, the state declined to provide students' tuition, instead making them responsible for their own learning. The tuition is used to cover costs, including the center's 60-member staff.
"Most universities feel that it is unfair to give credit because the students need the skill to enter into a given program," she said.
But for Lucky Ogwebe, who, like his 12 siblings, relies on financial support from his father, classes without credit are "a waste of resources."
"I can tell my dad I passed through the AEC, yet I don't have a certificate to show that," he says "It's kind of frustrating."
William Alix/Special to the KANSAN
Remembering a leader
From left, Claudia Juarez, Kansas City, Kan., junior, Octavio Hinojosa, Hutchinson junior, and Utley Bush, Miami senior, join with others in a march down Rockwell Boulevard to honor civil rights leader Cesar Chavez. About 60 students participated in the march yesterday.
Performing groups to close out season
By James J. Reece
Kansan staff writer
Three season finales occur this weekend in a big three days for actors, singers, musicians and dancers at Murphy Hall.
With no scenery, props or characters, the last play of this season's William Inge Memorial Theatre Series nevertheless will entertain, or at least provoke thought in, the audience.
"Offending the Audience" opened last night at the lage Theatre in Murphy Hall and will be presented at 8 p.m. each night until Tuesday. The one-act play is directed by Ronald Willis, professor of theater aid film. And the play, by Austrian playwright Peter Handke, is like no other Willis has seen before.
"It makes you rethink what you believe the theater to be." Willis said of the play, which features four speakers, rather than characters. They speak not to each other but to the audience.
Tickets for the play are $3 for KU students, $5 for other students and $6 for the public.
Also continuing tonight is the fourth-annual music and dance performance featuring the collaboration of the University Dance Company and the Cohen/Suzue Duet Company. Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for the public.
The Combined Choirs and the University Symphony Orchestra will present a spring concert at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murrah Hall.
"It's always traditionally the biggest production of
the year," said Brian Priestman, resident artist and conductor at KU, who will conduct the orchestra.
The program will open with the overture to "A School for Scandal," by Samuel Barber. For the second piece, Priestman will conduct Ralph Vaughan Williams "Serenade to Music," to which the choir will sing the words from "Merchant of Venice," a play by William Shakespeare.
James Ralston, director of choral activities, will direct the choir and orchestra in the program's third piece, Beethoven's "Mass in C major," a five-part Latin Mass set to music.
The performance will feature the University Symphony Orchestra and the Chamber Choir, University Singers, the Concert Choir and the men's and women's club clubs. Admission is free.
Music events highlight end of semester
Day on the Hill. Omega concerts are top billings
By James J. Reece Kansan staff writer
Two major outdoor music events will occur this weekend in and outside Lawrence.
For those stepping into pre-finals festivities for the first time, they are Day on the Hill and the Omega XII Outdoor Music Festival.
Omega starts today rain or shine.
Theater once more 8:30 p.m.
The performances start at 5 p.m. today and at noon tomorrow.
The two day, camp-up concert features, in order of appearance, Chubby Smith and His Orchestra. Which Doctors, Darrell Lea and Megan Hurt, Id Explosion, John Bode and Stephanie Turner and Salty Iguanas playing tonight.
Tomorrow night's line-up in order of appearance is Rick Frydman, Nic Cosmos, Monterey Jack, New Riddim, Terry Eebeling, Baghdad Jones, Deb Girnius, L.A. Ramblers, Joe Moon and Lonesome Houndogs.
Darrell Lea, who will perform with Megan Hurt today and with L.A. Rambers tomorrow, took Chubby Smith and His Orchestra and New Riduum were the only bands appearing for the first time at the concert. But he said that many of the bands or individual members were veterans.
"I think the record holder is Lone-some Houndogs," Lea said. "I think they've been at every one since 1985."
Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate, with a $1 parking fee. Concert promoters recommend bringing
Big weekend for outdoor concerts
A total of 22 bands will play in Day on the Hill and Omega today, and tomorrow.
Omega XII
Where: Take Sixth Street west to get to County Road 442.
When: Today and tomorrow.
Tickets: $10 (Parking is $1.)
Day on the Hill
Where: Campanile Hill
When: Tomorrow
Free. Starts at 11:30
tents, sturdy shoes and extra food,
water and batteries for flashlights.
Another, cheaper concert opportunity is Day on the Hill, sponsored by Student Union Activities, in conjunction with Student Senate.
The free concert on Campanile Hill starts at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow and ends at 6 p.m.
The concert's headliner is Gin Blossoms, from Tempe, Ariz. Also featured will be Reverend Horton Heat, Rise, Kill Creek, MU 330 and special guest Crash Vegas.
Brad Roosa, SUA music coordinator, said that the Day on the Hill would also take place regardless of bad weather.
"It's do or die," Roosa said. "I think if the weather is wonderful, we're going to have an amazing event."
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