1998 ANNUAL HOLIDAY NEWSLETTER FOR OUR FRIENDS IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
Pre-MBA program 1
New Friends International 2
| Web weavers | 2 |
| Ukrainian legal professionals | 3 |
| New TOEFL available | 3 |
| Special programs | 4 |
| LEP program | 5 |
| Profiles | 6 |
Professional activities 7
Promotion document 7
Summer study tour 7
English through Drama 8
Alumni news 9
Holiday greetings 10
Dear ELI Friend:
During the past year I had the opportunity to travel to eight countries and Joe Matterer, our assistant director, to another five. We travel for different reasons--sometimes to conduct teacher training, as I did in Guinea; sometimes to explore opportunities for institutional linkages, as in Turkey; but usually to recruit students by developing new markets or cultivating existing ones.
Perhaps the most exciting part of travel, however, is the opportunity it affords us to reunite with ELI alumni. The reunions permit us to gauge the true impact of the ELI experience on the lives of some of our graduates.
As we meet with alumni, we find ourselves looking for basic measurements of our program's effectiveness. Did their time at ELI help them to land a better job, complete an American undergraduate or graduate degree, or contribute meaningfully to society? Were they still using their English skills--and had the skills improved or deteriorated over time? Were there tangible or intangible returns on the investment in time, money and energy the alumni had poured into their several months of studying at ELI?
Admittedly, these questions were far from my mind as I found myself fulfilling a 16-year dream to visit Saudi Arabia, the home of the first group of students I had ever taught as an English as a Second Language instructor. My host, Ibrahim Althwaikeb, treated me to an unforgettable afternoon of riding Arabian stallions on the beautifully stark white sands of the Saudi desert, just outside the oasis of Hacer, where Ibrahim's family manages a date farm--made lush through careful irrigation.
Ibrahim wrapped a gutra around my face to protect me from the blowing sands, and we rode off into endless dunes, escorted at a distance by herds of camels and howling wolves. At night, I was a guest of Ibrahim's extended family and intimate friends at an incredible feast held in my honor-- not simply out of respect for Ibrahim's teacher while he was at Delaware, but out of the high esteem Saudis hold for all educators.
SCOTT STEVENS, ELI DIRECTOR, SADDLED UP DURING HIS VISIT WITH ELI ALUMNI IN SAUDI ARABIA.
Several days prior to this night of Arabian enchantment, I had asked the "bottom line" questions to Ibrahim, as well as Hasan Al Yami, Bader Al Rowaished and, a week earlier in Kuwait, to Ibrahim Al Khaldi--all who were part of the original group of 12 Aramco scholarship recipients sent to ELI in 1982.
We agreed that virtually all had fulfilled their objectives of learning English in order to complete an undergraduate degree and acquire technical expertise in the States to prepare them for promising careers in the oil industry back in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The success they now enjoy could be traced to their having acquired English language skills at Delaware--a key that opened the doors to many subsequent educational and professional opportunities.
I learned that my Saudi friends meet several times a year--at which time their discussions invariably turn to the few months they attended ELI. Why had this brief moment in their lives had such a lasting impact? Perhaps, we ventured, their days at ELI were like a rite of passage through which they found just how much courage and perseverance it took to confront a terrifyingly new culture and language and to gain a mastery of both.
In 1982, Ibrahim, the student, changed profoundly, and so did I, his teacher. And that is why, after having been separated by time and great distance, and despite differences in religion, politics and world view, we remain the closest of friends, each carrying a part of the other in his soul. In just a few years, Ahmed, Ibrahim's eldest son, is expected to come to ELI to embark on the same linguistic and cultural odyssey his father had once pursued.
We can measure ELI's success in terms of our graduates' test scores, degrees earned and job placement. But what weteachers, staff and students together--do best cannot be measured at all, for how does one measure the broadening of the mind, the erasing of prejudice, and the transformation of the human soul--all of which somehow emerge from the mixing and mingling of dozens of cultures under the roof of the ELI home? I suppose that this success is best measured one friendship at a time.
Thus, at its heart, the ELI newsletter serves as an expansive greeting card, intended to rekindle memories and renew friendships among our thousands of alumni and our supporters. We hope you enjoy catching up on old acquaintances as you read through each article. May the year to come bring you joy and peace.
--Scott G. Stevens, Director
THE PRE-MBA GROUP VISITED THE PHILADELPHIA STOCK EXCHANGE WITH PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR JAMES SLATER (CENTER) IN SUMMER 1998.
The launching of ELI's PreMBA program in July 1997 coincided with the debut of the Asian economic crisis. As the current global economy fuels the need for better trained managers, demand remains high for the skills, including English language skills, necessary to restore prosperity.
Interest in ELI's 16-week PreMBA program, designed for international students who plan to pursue an MBA in the United States, increased in 1998. Classes in Advanced Business Communications and Advanced Business Concepts were offered during four out of the six sessions to more than 50 students.
Participants visited the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Charles Schwab and MBNA in connection with their coursework.
"One unique benefit of the program," teacher James Slater said, "is the assistance we provide students in understanding the various MBA options and their own career goals, and in selecting and applying to an appropriate graduate program."
Graduates of the program have entered MBA programs at Dartmouth,
La Salle University, New York University, the University of Delaware,
the University of Denver, the University of Illinois and Western
Illinois University.
Advanced Business Communications emphasizes team-building, self-evaluation, business presentations, case studies and meeting management. This class is taught by Naomi Migliacci, who is currently completing her doctorate in Linguistics and Education at the University of Pennsylvania and who has done graduate coursework in business at Harvard University.
Advanced Business Concepts focuses on advanced reading comprehension strategies and vocabulary, with readings selected from contemporary business publications. Participants also select equity investment portfolios and follow their selections online. In addition, the class prepares participants for the Analytical Writing Assessment section of the GMAT.
This class is taught by James Slater, who holds an MIM (MBA) from the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird) and an M.A. in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from the American University in Cairo.
For more information on this program and other special business programs, see
<http://www.udel.edu/eli/premba/
premba.html> and
<http://www.udel.edu/eli/pfa.html> or
call James Slater at (302) 831-3612.
International and American students are experiencing cultural and linguistic diversity closeup under a new housing policy assigning ELI and matriculated university students as roommates.
Starting September 1998, 19 ELI students were housed with regular UD students in double rooms in Pencader B, C, J, L and M dormitories. An additional 15 students were assigned to extended housing in Dickinson, Thompson, Lane and Squire dormitories, sharing rooms with other ELI students on floors otherwise occupied by matriculated students. Previously, all ELI students in campus housing lived separately, occupying single or double rooms in Pencader K, and rooming only with other ELI students.
ELI proposed the new policy in the spring, explained David Quayle, orientation coordinator, reasoning that the university had been one of the first to integrate racially in 1950 and citing a survey showing that many intensive English programs at American universities have integrated housing arrangements.
"I'm pretty committed to [the new policy]," said Jim Tweedy, area coordinator for Laird Campus, Residence Life. "I don't believe the interaction opportunities for U.S. students have been high enough. A great part of the college experience is to learn about other cultures."
Sophomore Patrick Stock, a criminal justice major from Massachusetts, said both he and his parents were at first surprised when he was assigned a roommate from Brazil. "It's great," he said. "I took it as a chance to learn more. It's been very beneficial to me, and I help [Roberto] with his English."
Roberto Junqueiro, his roommate, concurred. "I like it very much," he said. "It's a great opportunity to speak and mostly to improve my listening comprehension. [Americans] speak very fast." For Roberto the cultural differences have been minor. "[Patrick] likes American food and baseball," he said. "In Brazil we have only soccer. Now I'm watching a lot of baseball," he said, laughing.
ELI hopes to expand the number of its students living with American students. For now, the orientation staff are developing cross-cultural training meetings to ensure the success of this year's pilot program.
When UD student Eric Burkett faced a problem, ELI students provided the answer. Burkett, a senior economics major, needed to join a club. It was a requirement for the class in Leadership, Integrity and Change he was taking in the spring semester '98. A Pencader resident, Burkett had met a lot of ELI students living in the dorms.
Isn't there a club for American students and ELI students? he wondered. When he found out there wasn't, he expressed his frustration in class. To his surprise, his classmates thought it was a great idea. If such a club existed, they would join too, they said. In response to their enthusiasm and to fulfill his course requirement, Burkett formed Friends International.
"The club is open to any international student," Burkett explained. "But we are especially interested in ELI students, since they are here for a shorter time and have a harder time meeting Americans."
Burkett brought his idea to ELI, meeting with orientation coordinator David Quayle and Director Scott Stevens, and addressing the ELI graduation audience in April.
The club now has six officers, who meet weekly, and about 25 American students as regular members. "It's growing," Burkett said. "After the article appeared in The Review in September, I had several students contact me wanting to join."
The club's first task is fundraising, Burkett explained, as university funding cannot be used for entertainment or travel expenses. The group planned a car wash in the fall. "We hope to have about one activity every three weeks," Burkett said. Fall activities planned included a mixer at Klondike Kate's, a bowling party and a softball game.
"We're also trying to have a partner system," Burkett said. "Not a language partner system like ELI, but to help out with personal problems."
ELI wishes Eric Burkett and Friends International every success.
THE ELI HOME PAGE HAS A NEW ADDRESS: <HTTP://WWW.UDEL.EDU/ELI/ELI.HTML>
What functions as a tour guide, message board, stockbroker, bookshelf and publishing house? ELI web pages! ELI faculty have expanded their web offerings and created new home pages for their classes this year.
Web master Lowell Riethmuller has added a "Virtual Tour" to the ELI home page <www.udel.edu/eli.html> to inform global web visitors of the expanding ELI program and its various activities. Alumni can keep in touch with their former classmates through the Alumni Messages section of the ELI page <http://www.udel.edu/eli/message.html>. To add your message, please e-mail it to Lowell at <lowell@udel.edu>.
The ELI home page contains lots of interesting features. Students can apply to the program on line, read faculty bios, find out about each session's cultural program, read course descriptions and student testimonials, and much more!
Through Lowell's help, the growing Pre-MBA program for business majors has its own home page <http://www.udel.edu/pre-mba/pre-mba.html>. Participants in the program can access an online stock portfolio which actually tracks U.S. stock markets.
Lowell has also created a web site for his Level IV Reading/Writing class <www.udel.edu/eli/rw4>. The home page acts as a source of readings and textbook supplements. There is also a link to an e-mail chain story which showcases creative writing by storytelling teams.
After 10 hours of student tutoring funded by UD's Center for Teaching Effectiveness, web novice Barbara Morris created a home page for her English through Desktop Publishing class <www.udel.edu/eli/bmorris/desktop> which features the student newspaper New Voice. With further help from the staff at The Present in the User Services Department, she managed to add a link to a videoclip of the Singled Out dating contest, which the Desktop class sponsored for Valentine's Day <www.udel.edu/eli/bmorris/desktop/singledout.html> Barbara then proceeded to publish writing and photos from her Level II Reading/Writing class on its home page <www.udel.edu/eli/bmorris/rw2>.
Watch this column next year for more news as ELI faculty continue to explore the myriad possibilities offered by the web.
The ELI Annual Holiday Newsletter is published by the
English Language Institute
University of Delaware
189 West Main Street
Newark, DE 19716, USA
Telephone: (302) 831-2674
FAX: (302) 831-6765
Scott G. Stevens, Director
Katharine Schneider, Associate Director
Joe Matterer, Assistant Director
Barbara Morris, Editor-in-Chief
Ruth Jackson, Senior Editorial Advisor
Wendy Bulkowski, Editor
Patience Phillips, Editor
Lisa Grimsley, Editorial Assistant
Contributing writers:
Linda Bigler
Wendy Bulkowski
Margaret Cassling
Leslie Criston
Barbara Gillette
Ruth Jackson
Michelle Kline
Janice Lefebvre
Janet Louise
Mary McCloskey
Barbara Morris
Patience Phillips
David Quayle
Bonnie Raimy
Lowell Riethmuller
James Slater
Scott Stevens
Melody Holm-Terasaki
Kathy Vodvarka
Grant Wolf
Chris Wolfe
For further information or an application form, contact the director's office or use the following e-mail address:
scott.stevens@mvs.udel.edu
or the following URL:
http://www.udel.edu/eli/eli.html
The American Law and Legal English Institute (ALLEI), now in its sixth year, was offered twice in 1998, in January and in July. A total of 38 lawyers, judges and law students from 21 countries took classes and seminars in such topics as American court structure and procedure, contracts and commercial law, constitutional law, product liability and international law. The classes were taught by attorney Christopher Wolfe, ELI's legal studies coordinator, as well as by several other attorneys and judges in Delaware. The legal scholars visited several courts, law firms and government agencies in Delaware, Washington, D.C. and New York City. In Washington, the groups had VIP tours of the U.S. Supreme Court and visited the U.S. Capitol and Senate Chamber. After completing their studies, about half of the legal scholars went on to study at various American law schools, while the rest returned to their legal duties at home. The law program will be offered again in January and July of 1999.
UKRAINIAN LEGAL PROFESSIONALS MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM DELAWARE'S GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT CLAYTON HALL IN NEWARK.
Based on the success of its previous three grants, ELI has been awarded two new federal grants to provide legal training to Ukrainian legal professionals. In February, April and October, three groups of judges, prosecutors, and private lawyers received training in the American legal system and the administration of criminal and civil justice.The participants took classes and seminars in American criminal law, court procedure, criminal justice, and corporate and commercial law. They also spent 10 days in "hands-on" internships with the Delaware State Prosecutor's Office, the State Police, the FBI, state and federal courts, and the Delaware Division of Corporations. The participants have now returned to Ukraine and will pass on the knowledge they received by sharing it with their colleagues and putting their experience to practical use.
In the spring of 1999, ELI will host a group of 10 Ukrainian women judges and lawyers for training in women's leadership in law. After they return to Ukraine, they will conduct a national conference for women in leadership and law. Christopher Wolfe, ELI's legal studies coordinator, will travel to Ukraine with two other American attorneys as keynote speakers at the Women's Conference. This will bring to over 100 the number of legal professionals in Ukraine who have received legal training at ELI.
Take the TOEFL any day? Almost any hour? In a classroom with only six other people? Get the score instantly? Right here in Newark?
Now all this is possible with the new TOEFL format. Instead of traveling to Philadelphia or Washington, D.C., ELI students can now make appointments on weekdays and some evenings to take the test in 007 Pearson Hall on the UD campus. The four terminals provided by the Educational Testing Service serve TOEFL takers, while other terminals in the same room can be used for other tests, such as the GRE and GMAT. Different tests can be taken simultaneously, according to Mary Ruth Pierce, site director. The listening section of the TOEFL requires headphones so other test takers will not be disturbed.
Another innovation is the instant scoring. Students receive an unofficial score at the end of the exam and can decide at that moment whether to send the score to a college of their choice. They receive the official score two weeks later.
The new version of the TOEFL contains a revamped scoring system and an essay which may be written with pen and paper or on the computer. All the international TOEFL tests given in the United States are now computerized, and within two years ETS plans to add several countries to the new system.
Pierce says international students appreciate registering at her office, where the new format can be explained more easily in person than on the phone. The improved access should make it easier for ELI students to test their English abilities conveniently in Newark. To register, contact Mary Ruth Pierce at 831-6717.
ELI teachers Leslie Criston, Naomi Migliacci, Joe Matterer and Ian Palmer joined forces with the University of Delaware's International Programs and Special Sessions (IPSS) office in a six-week summer program for 70 English teachers from the former Soviet Union. These recipients of the Excellence in Teaching English and American Studies Award brought their expertise and dynamic methods with them from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
ELI teachers met their international colleagues each week for Language Practice and Materials Development, a course developed to provide participants with an opportunity to use and improve their already excellent language abilities while discussing U.S. culture, specifically historical and current events related to U.S. government, economics, diversity and education. In addition, participants presented successful language-learning activities that demonstrated why they were chosen for the teaching excellence award.
Funded by the United States Information Agency and administered by the American Council for Collaboration in Education and Language Study, the program was developed by Baerbel Schumacher of IPSS, who hopes to expand the program next year to include English teachers from additional countries.
ELI continued its well-established tradition of intensive EFL teacher training programs this year with the 1998 Delaware English as a Foreign Language Teacher Training Institute (DEFT), held from July 19 to August 15. This year's participants came from two prominent English-speaking universities in Turkey: the Middle Eastern Technical University (METU) in Ankara and Fatih University, a new institute of higher learning near Istanbul.
The instructors and administrators from both groups distinguished themselves with their remarkable level of fluency in English, as well as their exceptional professionalism and dedication to the field of Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Besides the intensive program of seminars and workshops which participants attended, the Turkish teachers also conducted extensive independent research during their four-week stay, which culminated in a series of workshops which they developed, practiced and prepared for presentation to colleagues in Turkey. ELI faculty and staff are eagerly looking forward to further collaboration with these talented and energetic Turkish friends.
Four English teachers sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Education (Mombusho) participated in an eight-week language and culture program at ELI in June, July and August. The Mombusho program included regular ELI classes as well as a special grammar class and cultural excursions.
English teachers themselves, the participants in the Mombusho program were intrigued by the opportunity to become students again. They were able to refine their language skills, which were very good to begin with, and enjoyed working with their international classmates. As educators, they were able to evaluate the teaching methods and techniques used by their ELI teachers and were pleased to participate in class activities which they can use themselves in the future. The program participants were also able to share their teaching experience with teachers from Turkey, who were in Newark for ELI's DEFT program.
Eighty-two graduate students joined the International Teaching Assistants Program this past summer. The four-and-a-half-week program, coordinated by Associate Director Kathy Schneider, screens international teaching assistants from all University of Delaware departments for oral language proficiency and helps them to prepare for their instructional duties at the University.
This year's participants included ITAs from such departments as biology, chemistry, civil and mechanical engineering, English, linguistics and political science. Classes in this program included oral intelligibility, culture and pedagogy as well as tutoring. The majority of students came from China and India. Other countries represented were Germany, France, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and Korea.
The program has been very successful over the years, both in insuring that undergraduates have TAs they can understand and in guaranteeing that ITAs succeed in the classroom.
In June, three Fulbright exchange scholars, two from China and one from Chile, participated in rigorous language training in preparation for academic study at American universities. Two of the participants have since joined the University of Pittsburgh, one as a visiting scholar in instructional technology and the second as a doctoral student in education. The third is studying for a master's of law at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
THE SUMMER COLFUTURO GROUP GATHERED IN AUGUST WITH COORDINATOR RICKA GROLLITSCH
ELI again hosted three groups of Colombian professionals, who arrived in January, June and September. The 37 participants were selected in Colombia by the Fundación Para el Futuro de Colombia, a.k.a. Colfuturo. Program coordinators Susan Edgell, Ricka Grollitsch and Patience Phillips supplemented the language instruction provided by ELI with a variety of workshops and seminars on academic, cultural and professional topics. Students also became listeners in University of Delaware courses.
SHOIN STUDENTS DISCUSSED THE YEN WITH A "STAND-IN" FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON OUTSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE.
Eleven Kobe Shoin Women's University students, along with their faculty escort, Professor Noriko Shibatani, successfully jumped into the final three weeks of the regular intensive program in August. Following their classroom study, the group went on a whirlwind cultural tour organized by academic coordinator Janet Louise, which took them from the White House to the Statue of Liberty, from the Amish farmland to Baltimore's Fort McHenry and from the Liberty Bell to Longwood Gardens. Host families and students met throughout the month and enjoyed a farewell dinner together, at which program participants presented ELI with a signed and framed memento of their appreciation.
Eleven students from Universidad Central de Chile and two from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies joined regular ELI classes in January and February. Program coordinator Melody Holm-Terasaki organized a number of cultural outings, social gatherings and host family get-togethers for both groups, helping to make their stay a memorable one.
A GROUP OF UAE STUDENTS MET WITH COORDINATOR JAMES SLATER (SEATED, THIRD FROM LEFT) AT THE BEGINNING OF SESSION VI IN JULY.
For the past two years, the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has entrusted English language preparation for selected students to ELI. During 1998, the number of participants ranged from 10 to 19 at a time.
A major Arabian Gulf oil producer, UAE is rapidly diversifying its economy. ELI appreciates the opportunity to share in the development of prospective UAE professionals who will play a role the country's future.
LEP STUDENTS IN KATHY VODVARKA'S CLASS SMILED FOR THE CAMERA.
The Limited English Proficiency (LEP) program, which ELI administers within the Christina School District, continued to expand in 1998, serving more than 150 students. These students, whose parents are immigrants or are living in Delaware temporarily to work, come to four schools for English class early each morning and then return to their own schools in late morning for math, science and social studies. In 1998, the district provided funds for new supplies to all the LEP teachers, who chose new equipment to enrich their classrooms.
Jan Lefebvre instructed the youngest children, 6 to 9 years old, with the assistance of several UD student teachers and graduate students. The 79 children from 19 countries came to Gallaher School in Newark. A new phonics reading program was successfully introduced last year.
The next group, in grades 4-6, was taught by Kathy Vodvarka at Pulaski School in Wilmington. Her 17 students came from Asia, South America, Eastern Europe, Africa and Yemen. With two new computers, Vodvarka will be able to enrich the classroom environment.
Jo Gielow's classroom at Shue Medill Middle School holds 12 to 14-year-old students. In 1998 they came principally from the Middle East, Asia and South America. Gielow reported that she acquired new materials that combine fun and pronunciation practice, such as a new bingo game with pictures instead of numbers.
At Newark High School, teacher Lisa Stevens' 30 high school aged students, most of whom spoke Arabic, Chinese or Spanish, were divided into two levels, receiving social studies instruction from another teacher. In English class students related to their new Side by Side series of books and videos, because, as Stevens explained, it provided "pieces of the puzzle" that "students have to put together themselves."
All the LEP teachers relished their role as counselor, helping the young people and their families adapt to American society in many ways.
David Quayle has been there. Having lived abroad himself, the orientation coordinator knows what it's like to be a foreign student just arriving in a new land and to yearn, more than anything, to understand the culture and meet native speakers. Quayle has used this understanding to improve ELI's orientation program in 1998, adjusting the initial in-take process to make it more user-friendly and expanding its cultural and language partner programs. "I tried to calm things down and get everything in writing," Quayle said, describing changes he has made in the check-in procedure for new students. New arrivals now get a checklist of what they need to do during their first days at ELI.
Quayle has also changed the orientation meeting schedule to make the initial culture shock less overwhelming. "There was too much information coming too fast," he explained. Now the first orientation meeting has been postponed from the Friday before the first week of class to Monday, with a follow-up meeting on Wednesday. Cultural orientation is now provided in small groups, allowing students ample opportunity to ask questions. Throughout each session, Quayle has expanded the amount of community and cultural information provided in the weekly Orientation Express newsletter. "A lot of education goes on outside of class," he said. "Students have to know what's going on."
In addition, orientation staff have increased the participation rate of American students in the Language Partner program by contacting professors in the Linguistics, Foreign Languages and Literature, Political Science and International Relations departments and providing them with application forms for American students. "We've had a lot of response," Quayle said.
He is currently working with the Housing and Residence Life departments to insure the success of the newly-integrated UD/ELI on-campus housing arrangements.
JANET
LOUISE
Janet Louise is a woman who has led two lives. Her colleagues know her as an accomplished ESL professional with extensive experience in international education. In fact, she has been a familiar presence at ELI for almost 15 years, beginning her career here as a tutor in 1984 and becoming a full-time teacher in 1985. Not everyone knows, however, that when Janet first began her adult life, she opted for the more traditional roles of wife and mother, marrying just out of high school. In the years that followed, while raising her son, Matt, Janet grew increasingly involved in politics and the women's movement, and she came to the realization, at the age of 31, that she wished to extend her horizons by getting a college education. Though it took some seven years, she successfully completed a bachelor's degree in liberal studies, majoring in communications and minoring in women's studies. She went on to study for a master's degree in linguistics at the University of Nebraska.
Janet's first job after graduate school was teaching English and linguistics in China to college English teachers-in-training. She discovered her passion for international education then. Janet truly enjoys living and working abroad. "It's personally challenging," she remarks. "I like meeting ordinary people, eating the food, making new friends." She served as a visiting professor at Kobe-Shoin Women's University in Japan in 1993, and has indulged her love of international travel and study as a presenter at various professional conferences around the world, from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Beijing, China.
At ELI, Janet is perhaps best known for her innovative and fun approach to English teaching. She implemented, for example, student-planned curricula before the notion was ever discussed in professional TESL publications. And since 1987, students in her class, English through Music, have learned the ins and outs of contemporary American culture while honing their listening and speaking skills by watching and creating music videos. Her students' original music videos are a popular feature at graduation ceremonies. Making videos "keeps students motivated," Janet says, because "they are involved in the process and take ownership of it." Janet not only teaches, but also frequently coordinates special programs, most notably the Kobe-Shoin Women's University program from Japan, whose regular recurrence attests to its success. She values the diverse opportunities her job at ELI affords her.
In her free time, Janet teaches Tai Chi, a physical and spiritual discipline she has practiced for more than 20 years, at the Unitarian Church in Newark, where she is a member. The ancient Chinese art, she says, "gives me peace of mind and keeps me healthy. It reminds me of the importance of balance and harmony in our lives." Those who know Janet will recognize her in these words. Though a dynamic professional life is important to her, it is not everything. What is a career without the numerous friendships she has made around the world? Without the joy of time spent with her granddaughter, Maeghan? Without a hundred other such fundamental human pleasures? It is this perspective on life that makes Janet's presence seem a little oasis of peace and serenity.
ISABEL
WHITAKER
Isabel Whitaker has two passions--teaching and dancing. Maybe this is not surprising, considering that her mother was a dancer and her father a university professor. As a child, Isabel experienced firsthand what it is like to live in a foreign country with only limited language skills. She went to school in Lima, Peru, while her father was conducting research there. The kindness of strangers made this experience considerably easier, and she is glad to have a chance to return the favor in her present position as an ELI tutor.
Isabel thoroughly enjoys the one-on-one interaction during tutoring hours, especially after having taught 2535 students at a time as a public school English teacher for 20 years. When Isabel retired from that position, she moved to New York City and taught ballet and Spanish dance there. Her three sons grown up and on their own, Isabel finally had a chance to combine her passion for teaching and dancing. After a few years, however, she started to miss language teaching and enrolled in a master's degree program at the University of Delaware. She received her master's in education with a focus on teaching English as a Second Language in 1996.
Isabel started tutoring at ELI while working on her master's degree, and still remembers her first student, a young man from Turkey. Now she works at the tutoring center for 20 hours a week and cannot imagine doing anything else. She had missed delving into the life of the mind as a dance instructor and now feels doubly enriched by her highly motivated students, whom she calls "the best and the brightest in the world." Needless to say, she talks to them about her love of dancing and the ballroom dance class she still teaches locally. Yet helping her students achieve their goals and enabling them to express their own ideas is the most rewarding occupation Isabel can think of.
When she meets colleagues from her public school days, she tells them, "I'm in teacher heaven." That's because most public school teachers in this country never have the chance to get to know their students as individuals. The close personal contact with ELI students is what makes Isabel so happy about being a tutor. She loves seeing them succeed and feels deep personal satisfaction as she witnesses their progress. Isabel has great confidence in what she calls their "fine minds." According to Isabel, the future of the world depends on these promising young people, and she takes great pleasure in helping them along the way.
DAVID QUAYLE
ELI students know orientation coordinator David Quayle as the man with the answers, not only to language questions but also to those essential questions of everyday life in the U.S.: housing, food, transportation, paying bills, making friends, and having fun. David has a wealth of information to share and is always ready to be of service. He sees helping students enjoy their stay in the U.S. as the most rewarding aspect of his work. Few students know, however, how easily David can empathize with their experience as international travelers and language learners.
David first became interested in international work when he was in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany for almost three years. This was his first exposure to a new language and culture, and he took full advantage of it, learning German by talking to and making friends with local people. When he returned home, he studied Russian at the U. S. government's Russian language school and became fluent in Russian, although he didn't have the advantage that ELI students have, he said, of living in the country where the language is spoken.
David's international experience did not end when he left the army. As a UD undergrad, David spent a semester abroad in Vienna, Austria, where he practiced both his athletic skills and his language skills by joining a local rugby team. It was at this time David became interested in teaching English to speakers of other languages. Upon returning to the U.S., he worked for a time as a camping tour guide, shepherding international visitors around the U.S. every summer. Soon, however, he began to pursue his interest in ESL teaching, returning home to Delaware to complete a master's degree in ESOL at the University of Delaware.
David began his ELI career as a tutor and continued to broaden his experience as Reading Lab instructor and Study Tour instructor/guide before becoming orientation coordinator. When he is not busy planning cultural and recreational activities, David greatly enjoys being a new father. His son Peter was born April 8, 1998. He looks forward to having the opportunity to share his rich travel experiences with his own family in the future, as he continues to help ELI students make the most of their experiences in the United States.
His advice to students is to "Relax! You've got a great learning opportunity here . . . the whole country is your classroom. Relax and make the most of it!"
Students can be assured that David will always be ready, willing, and very able to help them do so.
Attendance at the Self Access Learning Center in Rodney Hall has nearly doubled since 1997, with over 100 students using the computing-site-cum-study-lounge weekly, and some even daily.
"It's wonderful to see the SALC full-to-the-brim nearly every day with students taking advantage of the tremendous language software collection, word processing, and, of course, e-mail," coordinator Jan Lefebvre said.
Currently, instructor Lowell Riethmuller is working on a web-based catalog system to provide easier access for students to the available software.
To accommodate the demand, the SALC has extended opening hours and added two more Pentium computers, bringing the total to 11 for the site.
The Tutoring Center has again been extremely busy in 1998. The tutors have been hard at work helping ELI students improve their English language skills. Several tutors took new positions, and Bonnie and Eric Raimy left Newark for five weeks in July and August to lead six ELI students to the American West.
Some familiar and several new professionals have joined the Tutoring Center. Emily Hogan is now tutoring in addition to her orientation duties, and former instructor Debbie Darrell and former tutor Ken Hyde have rejoined the ELI tutoring staff. Chandra Flint, Karyn Horn and Julia van der Veur are new additions.
According to coordinator Linda Bigler, the corporate section has been busy in 1998, too, serving clients who came from Germany, France, Japan, China and India from companies such as Gore, Hercules, ICI, Konica and DuPont. After a productive year, tutors all look forward to meeting more students in the year to come.
Faculty and administrators contributed in 1998 to their professional associations and community through their presentations, publications and service.
Margaret Cassling, Faculty
Presentation:
"Using Drama in Content-Based Programs," 32nd Annual TESOL Convention, Seattle, WA, March 17-21, 1998.
Lisa Grimsley, Faculty
Presentation:
"Helping Students Succeed: ESL Students in the Community," PennTESOL-East Spring Conference, April 1998.
Publication:
"Helping Students Succeed: ESL Students in the Community." PTE Voices (Penn-TESOL East newsletter), Summer 1998.
Ruth Jackson, Faculty
Post-Convention Institute:
"Establishing Global Connections with Strategic Interaction," 32nd Annual TESOL Convention, Seattle, WA, March 1721, 1998. [unable to attend due to mother's illness]
Presentation:
"Research Needs of International Students," Library Education Seminar, October 21, 1997, University of Delaware, Newark, DE.
Leadership positions:
Past president, PennTESOL-East,
1997-98.
TESOL Sociopolitical Concerns Committee Member, 1997-1998.
UD Faculty Senate Committee on Admissions and Standings, 1998.
AAUP Steering Committee, 1998.
Michelle Kline, Faculty
Publication:
"How to Avoid Plagiarism in Student Writing." PTE Voices (Penn-TESOL East newsletter), Summer 1998.
Russ Mason, Faculty
Presentation:
"The University of Delaware and the English Language Institute: An Overview of Programs," 1998 CEDCA North American Education Fair, Taipei, Taiwan, February 21, 1998.
Naomi Migliacci, Faculty
Presentation:
"Case Closed: Pre-MBA Student Prepared Case-Roles," Academy for Creative Teaching-World Association for Case Method Research and Applications Conference, Lucerne, Switzerland, January 5, 1998.
Barbara Morris, Faculty
Presentations:
"Student Video Production Tips from the Trenches," 32nd Annual TESOL Convention, Seattle, WA , March 1721, 1998.
"Using Student Generated Materials for Administrative Purposes" (with Leslie Bohon and Judith Snoke), 32nd Annual TESOL Convention, Seattle, WA, March 1721, 1998.
Publications:
"Student-produced Orientation Materials." TESOL Intensive English Programs IS Newsletter, Vol. 15, No. 1/1998: 15-16.
"Perseverance Pays Off for Historical Sleuths." University of Delaware Messenger, Vol. 7, No. 2/1998: 1718.
"Tea Toter." Delaware Today, March 1998: 6.
"Program Helps Jewish Refugees Become Americans." The News Journal, April 9, 1998: BW3.
"Scientist Draws a Diverse Crowd to Unity Day." The News Journal, June 25, 1998: BR24.
"Computing Ways to Close Gap for Kids," The News Journal, July 23, 1998: CO8.
"Little Summer Slack Time for School Staff." The News Journal, July 30, 1998: CO7.
"After the Storm," The News Journal, August 27, 1998: BR1011.
"A Boost for Schools and Themselves." The News Journal, October 8, 1998, CH 1011.
Katharine Schneider, Associate Director
Presentation:
"Department-based ITA Training Program Models," 32nd Annual TESOL Convention, Seattle, WA, March 1721, 1998.
Scott Stevens, Director
Professional service:
Conducted teacher training sessions for the faculty of the Centre d'Etudes de la Langue Anglaise in Conakry, Guinea, November 21December 5, 1997.
Leadership position:
Member-at-large for the Consortium of University and College Intensive English Programs, 19961998.
Grant Wolf, Faculty
Presentation:
"Student Health Concerns as Communicative Content," 32nd Annual TESOL Convention, Seattle, WA, March 1721, 1998.
IN THE OFFICE...
Robert ("Dru") Arban was appointed to the position of assistant to the director in which he will provide fiscal management for the Institute. We welcome Robert as the newest member of our professional staff. . . .Carol Pijanowski accepted a position as technical secretary in the Department of Physics and Astronomy on campus, completing six years of service as ELI's office coordinator. . . .Bill Bigler accepted a full time staff position with the office of Continuing Education--we will especially miss his computer expertise. . . .Melanie Rehberg has been promoted to become ELI's Admissions Counselor, assuming new responsibilities in areas of recruitment, marketing and student admissions. Congratulations, Mel! . . .Jessica Quinn landed a new job with Corporate Express that uses her design skills, and her administrative assistant position at the ELI has been assumed by Scott Zarnegar.
IN THE TUTORING CENTER...
Tim Burdick has left the Tutoring Center to teach English in the Czech Republic. . . .Stella Bagot has accepted a high school teaching position with the Prince George County schools in Maryland. . . .Tom Purnell has been appointed assistant professor in the Department of Linguistics, University of Wisconsin. . . .Anne Shoemaker has taken a teaching position in northern Delaware. . . . Sean Cox, ELI tutor and listening laboratory coordinator, is now teaching political science at a university in Turkey.
AMONG THE FACULTY. . .
There have been few changes among the faculty. Susan Edgell has accepted a position teaching English to American students in a vocational high school in Dover. . . . Molly Gould, who has taught at Kobe Shoin Women's University for the past few years, was asked by that institution to return for two more years.
Fulltime ELI faculty members can now apply for promotion to the rank of assistant professor non-tenure track, starting in fall, 1998. Previously, the only rank available to ELI faculty was instructor.
Thanks to the efforts of Director Scott Stevens, the UD administration approved the new rank several years ago. Then Stevens, Associate Director Kathy Schneider, Assistant Director Joe Matterer and faculty members Ruth Jackson, June Quigley and Lowell Riethmuller gathered guidelines and models from other UD units, wrote the criteria and submitted the first document in early 1996. At that time, however, university policies and procedures for promotion were streamlined, and ELI was asked to revise its document completely.
A new committee consisting of fulltime faculty members Ruth Jackson, Lowell Riethmuller and James Slater was formed to revise the document in accordance with the new UD policy.
After this revision, the document was approved by the University Faculty Senate in May, 1998. Now ELI faculty look forward to the opportunity to be accorded a title that better reflects their professional accomplishments.
The 1998 Study Tour, led by teachers Bonnie and Eric Raimy, both veteran tutors at ELI, provided an exciting way to learn English while traveling around the American West. The group trekked all the way from Delaware to Montana, covering fifteen states in the process. Along with expanding their knowledge of American history and culture and improving their language skills, the six students learned how to survive in the forest, to camp, photograph grizzly bears, whitewater raft, and to spelunk, which is the sport of cave exploration.
The participants visited historic landmarks such as Mt. Rushmore, the Crazy Horse memorial and Yellowstone's Old Faithful geyser and sampled slices of Americana that cannot be found in a textbook: speeding down the tracks of a stand-up roller coaster in Cedar Point, Ohio, and jamming to the sounds of Jimi Hendrix at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Student Evelyn Muller claimed that seeing the beauty of the American West and observing wildlife up close were the main thrills for her, and now she hopes to visit Alaska. Both students and teachers agreed that the most memorable lessons learned were acceptance, respect and the value of people from different cultures and backgrounds working together.
ENGLISH THROUGH DRAMA STUDENTS BLEW AWAY THE AUDIENCE WITH THEIR PERFORMANCE OF "BUGSY COMES HOME" AT THE APRIL GRADUATION.
In 1998, ELI teacher Margaret Cassling revived a tradition begun by Scott Stevens, Ruth Jackson and former teacher Deryn Verity by offering a drama course once again. Students experienced many roles of the theater world--becoming actors, directors, writers, and audience--while stretching their own speaking abilities.
Trips to the Delaware Theater Company in Wilmington to see professional productions became focal points which enhanced classwork. Before becoming an audience, students prepared for an exciting evening of theater. First, they read key parts of the script and performed them in class. Then, Charles Conway, director of education at the Delaware Theater Company, visited the class for a discussion of the play, the author and details of staging and set design. He also directed students in several typical acting exercises.
The professional productions were memorable not only for the excellent acting, but for the imaginative sets. In Thornton Wilder's "Skin of Our Teeth," the actors walked on a map of the globe. In Athol Fugard's "Valley Song," the audience seemed to be surrounded by the open farmland of South Africa, and in "Taking Steps," a comedy by Alan Ayckborn, the action took place on three floors of an old house represented on a one-level flat stage. Drama class students adapted this staircase illusion in "Bugsy Comes Home," their own production about a Chicago gangster. Of course, more than the sets were inspiring. After seeing a professional production, one student commented, "I thought we were over-acting, but now I see we have to do more, even exaggerate, to make the audience understand."
Other student performances included "Buck Taylor Saves the Lucky 7," a cowboy comedy, and "The Thomas Garrett Story," an almost-true dramatization of this local hero's work helping slaves escape on the Underground Railroad. The students wrote the Garrett play after gathering information on a field trip to the Friends Meeting House in Wilmington and to the Courthouse in New Castle, where Garrett's famous trial took place.
All of these activities challenged students' English--not just on the stage, but in natural situations like writing, directing and staging. Students also had to look carefully at the ways gesture, intonation and volume changed the meaning of words. It was a great deal of fun and much hard work, but the students all gained significantly from the experience.
JANET LOUISE Student-designed and created music videos were the standard fare for the English through Music class this year. Each video evolved very differently. One, using students' favorite songs for the foundation, developed a story line with musical cues for plot transitions. Another evolved from a fully developed plot, with the music playing a supporting role to the story line. Yet another class rewrote the lyrics to Madonna's "Frozen" and created a script to graphically illustrate the new lyrics to "Prisoner."
RUSS MASON 1998 was a fun year for the ELI 1960s class. Class members put together dramatic presentations, sang special songs, and even demonstrated dances of the Sixties as part of their frequent graduation performances. Some class participants made the long journey to San Francisco, California, and took the time to make a brief pilgrimage to the old Haight-Ashbury hippie haunts! Others brought back tales of their exciting adventures visiting the grave of Jim Morrison in Paris, France.
BARBARA GILLETTE and PATIENCE PHILLIPS Barbara Gillette and Patience Phillips, each teaching a section of the English through the News class, had their students face off for what turned out to be an exciting debate over the potential benefits and dangers of cloning, when the reports of the successful cloning of 50 mice made the news. Everyone had the opportunity to practice their powers of persuasion and show off their knowledge of breaking events in the world of science. There was no clear winner, but plenty of noise--all of it in English!--and high spirits were generated.
BARBARA MORRIS One of Barbara Morris's Level III Listening/Speaking sections produced an illustrated video story as a class project. Students learned camera techniques--how to pan, tilt and zoom, then worked in groups to illustrate the story and plan their camera shots and sound effects to accompany the script to "The Boy Who Cried Wolf." The final 6-minute video was shown at graduation.
GRANT WOLF Wonderfully creative class presentations given by Listening/Speaking Level IV students generated special fond memories this year. Topics ranged from the very serious (AIDS) to the totally silly (Dining Hall is the Best!) Some are even on videotape, so future students and the instructor can enjoy them for years to come. The students' hard work and genuine creativity was deeply appreciated.
HOST FAMILY COORDINATOR MELODY HOLM-TERASAKI OFFERED HOSPITALITY TO NUMEROUS ELI STUDENTS.
What do you get when you cross a lonely, far-from-home international student with a warm, caring American family?
"Something very special," said Melody Holm-Terasaki, the new host family coordinator.
Melody, who is also an ELI instructor, took over the position in June, when Jack Blake stepped down.
The Host Family Program continued to meet the needs of many students throughout 1998 by providing interesting cultural exchanges between them and local families.
Host families usually contact their students about once a month for an informal get together, such as Sunday dinner or an afternoon at a park. Often relationships between families and students become very close and continue for many years.
"The program offers many advantages to both the families and the students," Melody said. "Thanks to everyone who makes this wonderful program so meaningful!"
Persons interested in participating in the program should contact
Melody at ELI by telephoning 831-2674 or e-mailing her at <melody.holm-terasaki@mvs.udel.edu>.
HUNGRY TEACHERS AND STUDENTS LINED UP FOR HAMBURGERS AT THE ANNUAL PICNIC AT LUMS POND IN AUGUST.
ELI INSTRUCTOR MARLAU GOULD ADDRESSED JAPAN ALUMNI IN TOKYO.
The first annual reunion of Japanese graduates of the English Language Institute and the University of Delaware was held in Tokyo on October 3. Thirty-two alumni, some of whom are currently living in the United States, France, Germany and other Asian countries, gathered at the Hotel Edmont to reminisce and renew their friendships.
"I really enjoyed seeing many friends I haven't seen for a long time, even though I'm exhausted!" said one of the reunion organizers, Yoshimasa Niino. Niino graduated from ELI in 1990 and got his bachelor's degree in political science from UD in 1994.
Other organizers were Junko Mori and Miki Toda, both ELI graduates with master's degrees in communication from UD.
A highlight of the reunion, said Niino, was the attendance of "honored guest" Marlau Gould, an ELI instructor who is currently teaching at Kobe Shoin Women's University. "Hopefully, at the second reunion next year we can invite more ELI teachers as special guests, from Kobe and, of course, Newark!" Niino said.
Another special feature of the meeting was a video sent by ELI, which included a tour of the ELI building and greetings from ELI teachers and tutors.
The group hopes to include more ELI and UD grads in next year's reunion. For more information, contact Yoshimasa Niino at <961213@yurak.gw.ocnis.nittsu.co.jp>
Attention alumni reunion organizers!
ELI Director Scott Stevens and Assistant Director Joe Matterer may be visiting your country in the coming months and would enjoy attending your ELI alumni reunion. Current plans include visits to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Taiwan and Turkey. Please feel free to contact them at <scott.stevens@mvs.udel.edu> to discuss your plans.
Alumni news
GHANDI KAANAN (RIGHT) (SYRIA, '87) WED ON JANUARY 8, 1998.
MAMI ARIOKA (JAPAN, '94) MARRIED MARK OSLER OF TROY, MICHIGAN, ON MAY 15, 1998. SHE IS SHOWN HERE WITH HER HOMESTAY "PARENTS," JUDY AND BILL VAUGHN. THE COUPLE IS LIVING IN COLORADO, WHERE MAMI IS STUDYING TO BECOME AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER.
CHIHARU KURIYAMA (JAPAN, '97) CELEBRATED HER COMING-OF-AGE DAY IN A TRADITIONAL KIMONO.
VALERIA WOLSEY (ARGENTINA, '96) WED ALEJANDRO DAMIAN PARYSOW IN NOVEMBER '97.
Alejandro Henao(Colombia, '96) is thrilled that his architectural firm's design for the Colombian pavilion at the Expo 2000 in Hanover, Germany, won a competition. He is now studying in UK.
Björn Tibell (Sweden, '93, '94) finished his second Vasaloppet, the 90 km cross country ski race, and competed in long distance running and bicycle races.
Carla Pinto Gonçalves (Brazil, '96) visited Newark with her parents and husband in April and will be moving to Rio de Janeiro from Sao Paulo.
Carmen Paz Rodriguez (Chile, '98) is an editor for Apertura, a business magazine in Chile.
Dae Hwan (Dan) Kim (Korea, '98) was one of 21 participants at Yale University in an Asian scholars program in July. He began his doctoral studies at the University of Pittsburgh in September.
Dae-Seog Choi (Korea, '97) is now marketing manager for telecommunications equipment for Samsung.
Diana Villate (Colombia, '97) spent last summer working as a speech therapist at a large private hospital. In the fall, she completed her English studies at the Colombo American Center.
Enzo Savino (Venezuela, '95) graduated from UD with a master's in composite material science. While he was in graduate school, he and wife Isabella (Venezuela, '95) had a baby girl, Francesca. They returned to Venezuela and just had their second child, Stephanie.
Eri Yokoyama (Japan, '97) is an undergraduate student living in Tennessee and hopes to pursue graduate studies in environmental studies later.
Evelyne Koumoua (Côte d'Ivoire, '98) wed Justin Koffie on July 17 in Washington, DC.
Fernando De Lucca (Brazil, '97) returned to Sao Paulo, Brazil and has recently been promoted at ALCHOA, which allows him the opportunity to travel throughout Brazil.
Fumiaki Hayase (Japan, '95) is currently attending graduate school in San Diego, CA in international relations and will be graduating in December '98. He is contemplating the idea of pursuing his doctorate in China.
Hak Kim (Korea, '96) is working on Samsung's distance education team and developing web-based training courses. He manages the system and is also the web master for the training home page.
Haruna Serizawa (Japan, '98) is studying massage therapy in Philadelphia.
Hector Rubio (Venezuela) is working as an accountant for Chevron.
Jasmine Bucher-Schneider (Switzerland), wed in July 1993, is working in the textile industry and is using her English both on the job and in her travels to Australia.
Jessica Garcia (Puerto Rico, '96) is working for the DuPont Company in Wilmington as an associate scientist.
Ji-Young (Sophia) Shim (Korea, '97) is in graduate school at Georgetown University.
Jose David (Paisa) Montoya (Colombia, '98) is operating an Internet Spanish class using a chat software, with two female students from Georgia and one male student from New York. He says he is practicing not only his Spanish, but also his written English!
Juan Canitrot (Argentina, '98) passed the residency test in Argentina and has begun a medical residency in psychiatry.
Jumsan Kim (Korea, '97) is engaged to be married in spring '99 to Hyun-Joo Choi.
Kanji Nagafuchi (Japan, '98) lives in San Francisco, where he is working on his master's in hotel management at Golden Gate University.
Kwang-no (Kenny) Lee (Korea, '96) had his own homepage on the Internet during the spring of 1998. The address is < http://ix.bit.co.kr/ iw03/ >
Mario Baracaldo (Colombia, '96) has been accepted in the University of Saskatchewan's master of veterinary science program.
Mauro Mello (Brazil, '97) is working hard in Sao Paulo for Allied Signal, where he is finding his English skills indispensable.
Mehmet Sukru Gulay (Turkey, '95) has finished his master's in veterinary medicine at Florida State University and is beginning his doctoral studies there.
Nobuyuki Sanuki (Japan, '95) and Mayumi Ishihara (Japan, '88) married in March '98 in Hawaii.
Patricia Oliveira (Brazil, '94) is getting married on June I, 1999. She met her fiance, Alexandre, six months after returning to Brazil from Newark.
Rosendo Jurado (Panama, '83) has studied industrial and administrative engineering and right now is the purchasing manager of UNESA, a construction company. She is married and has a two-year-old daughter.
Takeshi Odagiri (Japan, '95) graduated from Cecil Community Col-lege in Maryland in the spring of '98.
Varinthorn (Kay) Bumrungton (Thailand,'98) is now living in Baltimore and studying fine arts at the College of Notre Dame.
Yasuo Kato (Japan, '95) passed the fourth and final phase of the American Certified Public Accountant Examination. In the spring of 1998, he accepted a position with an accounting firm in Tokyo, Japan and is getting used to life in the big city!
Yoko Mukai (Japan, '97) is studying international relations at UD and hopes to graduate in 2000.
Yuki Bito's (Japan, '94) parents attended her January '98 graduation from UD. Yuki is working in Japan.
ELI ALUMNI IN SAUDI ARABIA ENJOYED A VISIT FROM ELI DIRECTOR SCOTT STEVENS.
This year has gone too fast! But your cards and e-mail and visits have brought me much joy! Keep me posted by sending some more, please! With all good wishes for a happy and healthy New Year!
--Ruth Jackson <ruth.jackson@mvs.udel.edu>
All my best wishes for a very happy holiday season and the best of everything for the new year.
--KathyVodvarka
<kathleen.vodvarka@mvs.udel.edu>
I would like to extend end-of-the-year "reason's greetings" to all of our ELI students and alumni. Please write to us and tell us what you have been doing.
--Lowell Riethmuller <lowell@udel.edu>
Best wishes for a happy and peaceful New Year! Thanks for all the letters this past year. It's been a better year for me. I hope yours has been better too!
--Janet Louise <janet.louise@mvs.udel.edu>
Hi, former students! In 1998 I got to California to spend time in the desert and with my son and sister. Daughter Julie is happy at college and in the band. I'd love to hear from you by e-mail or snail! Have a great year.
--Wendy Bulkowski <wbulkows@udel.edu>
Many best wishes of the season! I do hope that you are all well and finding the success and contentment which you all deserve. Please continue to stay in touch!
P.S. Ignore Mary (below), please! NO SNOW!
--Jo Gielow <jo.gielow@mvs.udel.edu>
I hope everyone has a happy holiday season and a wonderful 1999. Since I retired in June 1997, I have enjoyed substituting at ELI and starting my own business, Inner Expressions, which presents expressive arts to various organizations in the area.
--June Quigley <jquigley@udel.edu>
May you know all the joy and peace of this holiday season. May it follow you through the new year and bring you and your families the gift of time to spend with each other. From my home to each of yours, Noel.--Jan Lefebvre
<janice.lefebvre@mvs.udel.edu>
Happy Holidays to all my former students. It is my sincere hope that our paths may cross again some day. Until then, you'll be in my thoughts.
--Linda Bigler <linda.bigler@mvs.udel.edu>
I'm still teaching at Community College of Philadelphia in addition to tutoring at ELI. This fall I started teaching ESL courses at Montgomery County Community College in Pennsylvania. I hope 1998 has been a good year for you and 1999 will be a better one.
--Patrick Ruffin <pruffin@udel.edu>
Seasons greetings, everyone! I hope it has been a happy and productive year for you. It was for me--I managed to complete my master's degree in education, and am happily nesting in a new house (new to me, that is). Drop me a line and let me know what's new with you.
--Patience Phillips <patience@udel.edu>
This past summer I put together an ELI photo album with pictures from September 1992 to the present. I have wonderful memories of all I have experienced here with you. I wish you and your families peace and love in the coming year. Happy holidays!
--Lisa Grimsley <grimsley@udel.edu>
I hope 1999 brings all of you closer to your dreams! Thanks for your cards, e-mail and phone calls! My daughter Lia is now 16 and driving. You can see us on my web pages <http://www.udel.edu/eli/bmorris>.
--Barbara Morris <bmorris@udel.edu>
I wish all of you the warmest of holidays. It has been great that so many of you have kept in touch. I created a student e-mail directory to help all of us keep in touch. So, to all of my students who want to be on the directory but whose e-mail I don't have, this is your homework!!
--Leslie Criston <leslie.criston@mvs.udel.edu>
Warmest Holiday Greetings to all our past students, homestay, and host family guests. Debbie, Gregory (now four years old!) and I wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous year. Send us a postcard or e-mail soon!
--Grant Wolf <grant.wolf@mvs.udel.edu>
Happy Holidays!! I hope that everyone had a year that was as happy as mine. As most of you don't know, I was married to Rich McHugh on October 3. We went on our honeymoon to St. Lucia. It was all very wonderful! Take care and have a great 1999!
--Michelle Kline McHugh <michelle.kline@mvs.udel.edu>
Happy Holidays to everybody! I hope the year has brought good things to you all! Luke and I are doing very well, and truly appreciate your letters, e-mail and/or phone calls. Keep healthy and happy, and please wish us some snow this year (a little bit).
--Mary (and Luke) McCloskey <mary.mccloskey@mvs.udel.edu>
I hope all of you are well and happy. Enjoy the holidays, and have a wonderful 1999! With love to all my dear students.
--Isabel Whitaker
A very happy holiday to all ELI friends, near and far. Please use your e-mail to keep in touch with us.
--Olive Yazid <olive@udel.edu>
This year I had a great trip to Taiwan and received some terrific letters, e-mail notes, calls and visits from former students! We love hearing from you. Please be sure to include your return address so that we can respond. Abby and I wish you joy and peace this holiday season and always!
--Russ Mason <ralph.mason@mvs.udel.edu>
Happy holidays, and don't forget to write!
--Barbara Gillette <gillette@udel.edu>
As you reflect on this past year and all that you did, remember that your life is a big picture and you were created for a purpose. You are special, one of a kind!! May your Christmas be happy and full of great times of loving others!!
--Ricka Grollitsch<ricka.grollitsch@mvs.udel.edu>
One more year left in the 1900s; SO, you better live it up in style! You need some exciting stories to tell your children and grandchildren about what it was like to live in the 1900s and this is your last chance! To ALL of you I wish the happiest of holidays and a groovy New Year!
--Melanie Rehberg and family
<melanie.rehberg@mvs.udel.edu>
Seasons greetings, Everyone! I hope all of you are catching your dreams and practicing your hard-earned English skills. Please continue to send me your beautiful cards, pictures and postcards. Have a safe and happy holiday and a prosperous New Year!
--Donna Lumpkin and family
<donna.lumpkin@mvs.udel.edu>
Greetings to All! May you have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year. I'm hoping for lots of snow! But wherever you are, I hope that you are enjoying friends and family. Don't forget your ELI family. Come visit us some time or send us an e-mail. Love,
--Naomi Migliacci
<naomim@udel.edu>
Best wishes for a great holiday season and a wonderful new year! I am so glad to have met so many great friends at ELI. Keep in touch with us--we do think about you during the year, too, and want to know how things are going for you. As for this winter--let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
--Margaret Cassling
<60505@udel.edu>
Many greetings of love and good will to all of you in every part of our world. May this time be one of reflection and aspiration. Come back to visit us soon!
--Melody Terasaki with Aki & Laurne
<melody.holm-terasaki@mvs.udel.edu>
I completed a master's degree and began teaching courses in pronunciation and GMAT preparation, so I am happy to report that 1998 has been a fruitful year for me. I wish each of you success and happiness. "Mayo greet the new year with particular relish, and ketchup on your English."
--Dennis Cannon
Howdy! I am still in Baltimore and starting my fifth year teaching Spanish in a middle school. This year I am a team leader and department chairperson--a lot of new challenges, but I love it!
--Sharon Beach, former tutor & Study
Tour teacher
<sjbeach@holmes.umd.edu>
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER-The University
of Delaware is committed to assuring equal opportunity to all
persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
gender, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation,
veteran status, age, or disability in its educational programs,
activities, admissions or employment practices as required by
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the
Americans with Disabilities Act, other applicable statutes and
University policy. Inquiries concerning these statutes and information
regarding campus accessibility should be referred to the Affirmative
Action Officer, 305 Hullihen Hall, (302) 831-2835 (voice), (302)
831-4552 (TDD). 
English Language Institute
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716