Classroom notes

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 1960s course, Russ Mason’s fall class watched the new Martin Scorsese film, “No Direction Home: Bob Dylan.” Since the summer of 1995, approximately 600 students from dozens of countries enrolled in the class have taken the “long, strange trip,” retracing the tumultuous changes that took place in American society during the Sixties era.

In response to the tsunami disaster in South-East Asia in December 2004, ELI students gave generously of their time and money to support the efforts of the International Red Cross. Mary Beth Worrilow and her Oral Business and Written Business students spearheaded the campaign by making and selling Philadelphia Eagles football pins and secret Valentine lollipops. Other students and teachers joined forces by holding a bake sale and selling crafts from their homelands. A check for $1,000 was donated to tsunami relief.

	Students prepare for tsunami relief bake sale with teacher Barbara Morris.

In the Level VI Listening/Speaking for Academic Purposes class, Ken Cranker’s students debated two new topics this year: mandatory group exercise time at ELI during the morning break between classes, and the Delaware bicycle helmet law. The former sparked intense interest and heated discussion, as weight gain is a common problem for ELI students, yet mandatory exercise may be too rigid and difficult to fit into the schedule.

ELI Business English students tour W.L Gore, Inc. with their teacher, Mary Beth Worrilow (top right).

In an effort to create successful business leaders for a globalized world, Mary Beth Worrilow and her Business students toured Delaware Business Incorporators, W.L.Gore, Inc., MBNA and Herrs Foods, Inc. Students experienced the American world of business firsthand while investigating various aspects of each company.

Instructor Leslie Criston, graduate student Kristen Shrewsbury and students of Oral Business Case Studies went “hog wild” on their corporate visit to the one and only Mike’s Famous Harley Davidson, Delaware’s world-famous outlet which boasts the highest volume of Harley motorcycle sales in the entire country. “Bikes” ranged from $15,000-30,000 each. Even so, Harley Davidson continues to be one of the fastest growing U.S. companies. Students interviewed manager Christine Kubik, got free signature HD T-shirts and bandanas and were even allowed to sit on the bikes for photos. One student reported that just sitting on a Harley put him in “Hog Heaven.”

	Students fundraise for ALS research with teacher Leslie Criston (lower right).

Inspired by Morrie Schwartz while reading his biography, Tuesdays with Morrie, students in Leslie Criston’s Read It! Watch It! class donated their time and energy to raise awareness and money to help combat ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), Students participated in a 5-kilometer walk-a-thon, held a bake sale and offered red awareness bracelets embossed with “Strike Out ALS.” The combined efforts of the students and donors raised almost $400, all of which was sent to the Philadelphia ALS Chapter to help further research and support patients.

Student Dario Saraceni gets into the act during a class visit to the Newark Fire Station.

Reading/Writing IV classes taught by Janet Louise, June Quigley and Kathy Hankins visited Newark’s Aetna, Hose Hook and Ladder fire station several times over the year. The message of what to do in an emergency was really brought home when emergency medical technicians had to respond to a real 911 call from an ELI student living in Christiana Towers. The student had followed the emergency instructions learned at the fire station visit.

	Music class students enjoy "hanging out" with a visiting South African a cappella group.

Janet Louise’s Listening/Speaking through Music class attended a potluck dinner and home concert with South African a cappella group Thula Sizwe. The students learned Zulu rhythms and movements and shared songs in their own languages in exchange.