Open house to showcase new ESL center at Minot State
The public is invited to attend an open house on Sept. 16 to visit with employees and students at the recently established English as a Second Language center at Minot State University.
Established a few months ago on Minot State’s campus, the ESL center is run by The Language Company. It gives an opportunity for students from across the world to study English in North Dakota.
"The Language Company has found a great community in Minot and MSU. Our staff and students have been warmly welcomed everywhere we go, from the campus bookstore to the local bank," said Bonnie Carrera, director of TLC-Minot. People are so caring and interested in both learning about TLC-Minot and our students and sharing about Minot and the American culture."
Housed on the newly renovated first floor of Dakota Hall, the ESL center has classroom space available for up to 50 students, who attend 50-minute to 90-minute classes, Monday through Friday. TLC-Minot provides high-quality language programs and cultural experiences for persons who wish to learn English as a second language for academic, professional or personal purposes.
Once they’ve completed level nine in the program, students in the ESL program at Minot State can enroll directly into Minot State as undergraduates. As of now, the bulk of the students learning English at the new center come from China, Saudi Arabia or South Korea. The students appreciate the chance to learn more than just English in what they consider to be a safe, friendly community.
"If you ask me what I learn in a language school, it is to not fear talking to others, even when I don't understand," said Xiuling (Ling) Chen, a student at the ESL center from Xiamen, China. "I believe TLC-Minot is a good environment to study. The teachers are very patient. The community is very friendly. So, I don't care if I speak the wrong word; the important thing in speaking English is to open your mouth."
The ESL open house will be held on Sept. 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include hors d’oeuvres, a chance to meet students and the four local employees at the center, as well as a ribbon cutting by the Minot Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors.
09/08/09