Nhung Nguyen & Purvez Vishnu Gunalan
December 12th, 2023 witnessed a joyful atmosphere at the English Language Institute (ELI)’s English for Academic Purpose Program (EAP), where smiles and cheers filled the air. The occasion marked a significant milestone – the graduation of students who had successfully achieved their language skill goals through the program.
The EAP is a program designed to provide students with essential language abilities to achieve their academic goals at Missouri State University (MSU) and empower them as proficient global communicators. Equipped with these new skills, graduates reflect on their personal experiences, growth, and gratitude for reaching this proficiency benchmark.
Xinyi Liu happily received her certificate for finishing the EAP program. She remembers the enjoyable language activities that helped her make good friends with her classmates. She believes that her progress in learning English is because of the supportive cultural atmosphere in the Springfield community. Liu is thankful for the energetic teachers and supportive friends who helped her feel more confident, making it easy for her to express herself in English. Thinking about her future studies, Liu feels ready and positive after improving her cultural understanding and communication skills in the EAP program at the ELI, MSU.
Adonis Garcia Guevara, another EAP graduate, initially felt nervous but soon found comfort in the warmth of his classmates. His unexpected appreciation for the tranquility of Springfield became a source of joy during his studies. Adonis acknowledges the growth in his communication skills, crediting his speaking class and supportive teachers for empowering him to pursue his passion for music. Currently studying at MSU, Adonis is taking introductory music classes with plans to delve into a full course load, majoring in cello performance to earn a degree in the field.
Lumin Zhang reflects on his experience in conversation circles, valuing the chance to engage with students from various countries and majors. Coming from northern China, Lumin enjoys Springfield’s warmer climate and describes the locals as generally friendly. Although he initially felt insecure about his language skills, Lumin acknowledges the progress made through EAP, particularly praising his speaking teacher, Christy Conaway, for pronunciation training. Expressing aspirations to enroll in a master’s program, Lumin acknowledges the necessity of improving language proficiency, driven by a determined mindset.
Chilean twins Daniela and Josefa Benítez, who had previously participated in a two-month exchange program at the ELI in 2017 through an agreement between Andres Bello University, Chile, and MSU, returned to pursue the EAP program. They consider returning to study at the ELI the best decision they made, expressing satisfaction with the teachers, staff, and ELI’s commitment to organizing activities for cultural exchange. Impressed by the warmth of Springfield’s people, they believe it to be an excellent place for studying English and living an international experience. They decided to stay in Springfield and embark on an MBA journey at MSU in the Spring semester of 2024.
In short, Xinyi Liu, Adonis, Lumin Zhang, and the Benitez twins, who are all EAP graduates, express their gratitude for the EAP program’s positive influence on their language abilities and personal development. Their experiences showcase resilience, determination, and a dedication to constant improvement as they embark on new phases in their lives.