ELI Newsletter, Volume 9
Welcome back English Language Institute students and faculty!!
On January 12th, classes resumed at the English Language Institute, and despite the bitter temperatures, ELI students were eager to return after the break. Even temperatures as low as six degrees Fahrenheit did not deter early-morning students who begin classes at 7:00 a.m. This dedication speaks to the grit and determination of ELI students, whose goal is to improve their lives by strengthening their English skills.
This semester, a new class time—from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.—was introduced as part of the ELI’s mission to make classes more accessible through expanded offerings. This schedule allows students to attend classes after work or, for some, before their workday begins.
As usual, interest in learning English at the ELI remains strong. Currently, nearly 1,300 students are enrolled across all ELI sites. The Saturday program continues to be the largest, with 198 students enrolled.
Some fun facts about the ELI:
- The oldest student is 82 years old and the youngest student is 17 years old.
- The average age is 34.
- Level 1 students make up the largest group, with 327 learners.
- Level 4 is the second largest group, with 280 students enrolled.
We wish all of our students the very best of luck as they begin this exciting journey—one that will prove not only practically useful, but also deeply enriching and memorable.
The following email, which Justin Smith, Director of the ELI, recently received from a former student who took classes in 2008, speaks to the lasting impact of the program:
I am reaching out because your name appears on my ESL certificate from 2008. I would like to apologize in advance in case this message has reached the wrong person.
To confirm, may I kindly ask whether you are the Mr. Justin Smith who taught ESL classes at WCC, located at 75 Grasslands Road, in Valhalla?
Recently, while looking through some old photos, I felt a sense of nostalgia for my class and for the people I met at that time. This motivated me to try to reconnect.
If you are indeed the teacher who taught my ESL class in 2008, I would like to let you know that you were a very kind and dedicated teacher to all of us. In any case, I sincerely hope you are doing well.
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