English As 2nd Language Program at UWS

English as a Second Language Program Now at UWS

The University of Wisconsin-Superior will soon begin offering the only comprehensive English as a Second Language (ESL) program in the Twin Ports region. The program is expected to help the campus attract students from the community and other countries.

UW-Superior has signed an agreement with English as a Second Language International (ESLI) to host one of the company’s ESL institutes. ESLI is based in the state of Washington and operates ESL centers at six public universities in the United States and one university in Canada.

“We’re excited that ESLI will be opening a language center at UW-Superior,” said Mark MacLean, international admissions coordinator at UW-Superior. “They have great experience operating ESL centers on other regional public university campuses, and we like that they will tailor their program to fit the needs of UW-Superior and our students.”

The ESLI center, which will begin classes on January 20, will help international students with limited English skills to improve their language proficiency in order to successfully enroll and study at UW-Superior. The center will offer a full ESL curriculum that includes 25 hours of instruction each week along with social and cultural programming.

International students enrolled in the ESLI program will have the opportunity to live in UW-Superior residence halls, use the university’s meal plan, and take part in student organizations and campus activities.

Among the advantages of hosting the ESLI institute is that it will raise UW-Superior’s profile in other countries, and attract more students to campus.

“We expect that their extensive recruiting network will help us attract students from countries and regions that aren’t currently well represented,” MacLean said. “This increased international diversity will help further raise global awareness on campus. We also anticipate that it will help us meet some of our longer-term enrollment and revenue goals.”

The ESLI director will be Elizabeth Maeshima and she will coordinate the staff and the program. “This is a great way for the University to continue its commitment to global opportunities for students,” she said. “I look forward to welcoming these talented individuals to our campus and community.”

UW-Superior has a record number of countries represented on campus this year with 43. Overall, international student enrollment for the fall semester was at 145 students.

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In addition, in 2014 UW-Superior signed two partnership agreements with universities in France and China to further provide additional global opportunities for students, faculty and staff. In June, an agreement was finalized between UW-Superior and the University of Le Havre, a major European port community at the mouth of the Seine River on France’s Normandy Coast. In October, UW-Superior and Beijing Wuzi University signed a formal agreement to set up a transfer agreement and exchange program for students and faculty, with a particular focus on transportation and logistics management.

•  An open house for the campus and the community was held on Wednesday January 14 at the ESLI office 310 Old Main. For more information on the program click here: ESLI program at UW-Superior