Winnie Masanya

The English Language Institute (ELI), Missouri State University (MSU) was delighted to welcome new students from diverse countries to participate in the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program. These students came from various nations including Libya, Taiwan, China, South Korea, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and Mongolia, etc. All the EAP teachers and staff were present during the orientation session to familiarize and welcome the students.

On the first day, students toured the Jim D. Morris Centre, the venue for the ELI. Following the tour, they took a Linguaskill test assessing their reading and listening, speaking, and writing abilities to determine appropriate English proficiency levels.

On the second day, the EAP program director, Pascal Hamon provided a comprehensive overview of the program, including students’ expectations during their period at the institute. Mr. Hamon emphasized that the EAP program provides English language learners with skills for academic and career success. The program offers three levels of English language instruction for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate studies and four levels for students aiming to progress with graduate studies. Each level is covered on a term basis, with each term spanning 12 weeks and involving 20 hours of weekly. The curriculum focuses on developing four essential skills: speaking, listening, writing, and reading.

As part of the learning process, Cali Pettijohn, the Student Services and Success Coordinator shared a calendar of activities for students to participate in through community events and co-curricular activities within both the university and Springfield. These engagements offer international students opportunities to enhance their language skills through interactions within the University and the Springfield community.

Prior to the university tour on the second day, the students underwent a reading and listening placement test to determine their abilities, ensuring a tailored learning experience for each student