ESL students receive free tutoring
By Marcela Beltrao Teixeira
[email protected]
The ESL program, or English as Second Language, is a language program that educates students from non-native English speaking countries. The ESL program at Madonna University has grown over the years, and with it, the international community at the school.
Currently, there are 104 international students at Madonna University. From these 104 students, 22 students are enrolled in the ESL program full-time, and 11 are taking their last ESL class with other regular classes.
Even though they come from so many different countries – China, Japan, Korea, Brazil, Denmark – these students have similar difficulties, and are now helping each other to overcome them.
“I really like tutoring other international students because I can help them to overcome one of their biggest challenges of coming to the U.S. I also think that I can help them because I had the same problems and probably made the same mistakes,” said Luisa Wiewgorra, a Journalism major from Potsdam, Germany.
Hadeel Betti, ESL Program Director, has been offering the tutoring program for the past few years, and says the program changes to correspond the necessities of the ESL students taking the classes that semester.
“We have been offering ESL tutoring every term for the past few years. It changes based on the needs of the students taking classes that term, but it is always focused on supporting the students with their language needs, so we can say, the focus is always on language development and academic preparedness,” said Betti.
The ESL students are taking great advantages from their tutor’s knowledge. The program is helping them conquer their insecurities and learn how to talk, understand and express themselves in English.
“For me, it is an amazing experience to learn and train with other internationals. They speak slower, so it is easier for me to understand things, and they have been through the same situation we are now, so they know how to handle our difficulties. Also, I feel more comfortable and less shy to talk in English when I am with them, because I know somewhere in their way, they were where I am at now,” said Bruna Barreto, a ESL student from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The tutoring program is certainly helping ESL students; nevertheless, the international students are also gaining great benefits by helping the fellow students.
“I learned a lot by helping them; one of the sessions we had they were asking some grammar questions, I am not a professor or anything like that, but I try to find a way to understand and explain to them. And this end up helping me understand better the English language,” said Caio Nogueira, a Sports Management major from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The benefits are not only language development, these international students and tutors have the opportunity to work and learn with people from different countries and cultures.
“Tutors benefit also as they gain valuable experience working with students from different cultures… being a global citizen is a 21st century skill employers look for, so the benefit goes beyond their time on campus…it is career preparedness in a way. Also, it clearly exemplifies and exhibits our Franciscan values of being of service to others,” said Betti.
The tutoring sessions are offered for free to any ESL student enrolled at Madonna University. They also are offered in different days and times to fit every student schedule.
“If I could give any tips for those that are still learning the English, I would say I think it is important to just be brave enough to talk. All it takes is the first step. Even if people do not understand you the first time, do not stop trying and do not hesitate to ask for help to find the missing word,” said Wiewgorra.
[email protected]
The ESL program, or English as Second Language, is a language program that educates students from non-native English speaking countries. The ESL program at Madonna University has grown over the years, and with it, the international community at the school.
Currently, there are 104 international students at Madonna University. From these 104 students, 22 students are enrolled in the ESL program full-time, and 11 are taking their last ESL class with other regular classes.
Even though they come from so many different countries – China, Japan, Korea, Brazil, Denmark – these students have similar difficulties, and are now helping each other to overcome them.
“I really like tutoring other international students because I can help them to overcome one of their biggest challenges of coming to the U.S. I also think that I can help them because I had the same problems and probably made the same mistakes,” said Luisa Wiewgorra, a Journalism major from Potsdam, Germany.
Hadeel Betti, ESL Program Director, has been offering the tutoring program for the past few years, and says the program changes to correspond the necessities of the ESL students taking the classes that semester.
“We have been offering ESL tutoring every term for the past few years. It changes based on the needs of the students taking classes that term, but it is always focused on supporting the students with their language needs, so we can say, the focus is always on language development and academic preparedness,” said Betti.
The ESL students are taking great advantages from their tutor’s knowledge. The program is helping them conquer their insecurities and learn how to talk, understand and express themselves in English.
“For me, it is an amazing experience to learn and train with other internationals. They speak slower, so it is easier for me to understand things, and they have been through the same situation we are now, so they know how to handle our difficulties. Also, I feel more comfortable and less shy to talk in English when I am with them, because I know somewhere in their way, they were where I am at now,” said Bruna Barreto, a ESL student from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The tutoring program is certainly helping ESL students; nevertheless, the international students are also gaining great benefits by helping the fellow students.
“I learned a lot by helping them; one of the sessions we had they were asking some grammar questions, I am not a professor or anything like that, but I try to find a way to understand and explain to them. And this end up helping me understand better the English language,” said Caio Nogueira, a Sports Management major from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The benefits are not only language development, these international students and tutors have the opportunity to work and learn with people from different countries and cultures.
“Tutors benefit also as they gain valuable experience working with students from different cultures… being a global citizen is a 21st century skill employers look for, so the benefit goes beyond their time on campus…it is career preparedness in a way. Also, it clearly exemplifies and exhibits our Franciscan values of being of service to others,” said Betti.
The tutoring sessions are offered for free to any ESL student enrolled at Madonna University. They also are offered in different days and times to fit every student schedule.
“If I could give any tips for those that are still learning the English, I would say I think it is important to just be brave enough to talk. All it takes is the first step. Even if people do not understand you the first time, do not stop trying and do not hesitate to ask for help to find the missing word,” said Wiewgorra.