UNBC Spends Summer Teaching English

Wednesday, July 12, 2006 03:55 AM

UNBC is showing significant growth as the place to be to learn English.

Last year, the University hosted 25 students from Japan over the summer in the English Language Studies program.

This summer, UNBC is expanding the program as nearly 150 students from Japan will be here to improve their language skills.

UNBC and Prince George are seen to be excellent learning environments for students who want to learn conversational English and learn about the Canadian culture says Paul Pan the Co-Ordinator of the English Language Studies program at UNBC. Not only do students get to have day to day coursework, they also have the opportunity to visit places like Jasper and Barkerville.

RIght now, there are 47 students on campus from northern Japan. Another 20 students from the Asia Univeristy in Tokyo will be here from August 6th through to September 2nd. A third group, consisting of 74 students from Gakushuin Women's College in Tokyo will be coming to UNBC August 19th through to the 16th of September.

Part of the program involves placing students in a Prince George home. "Integrating them into day-to-day life in Prince George is a tremendous learning experience for them and the host family." says Pan. In fact the response to that part of the program has been so good, the University is looking for more local families who may be interested in hosting a student. The families are paid $550 for the four weeks of the program.

Interested parties can contact the ELS program at 960-5103

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Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 03:55 AM in Life by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Dirtyrottenresearcher on July 12 2006 10:15 PM

It is disappointing that UNBC has chosen to enter an area which is traditionally well done by the ESL faculty of CNC, the local community college. It smacks of a shameless cash grab.

Posted by: Palopu on July 14 2006 5:46 PM

UNBC will do anything to increase their student numbers. They are on the verge of a downward spiral in enrollments and must do everything possible to try and maintain the status quo.

The new President has said that his top priority will be enrollment management-maintaining and growing the student population, while boosting student retention.

De-coded this means that the numbers are down, and students dont stay as long as they would like.

There is a limited number of people in North Central British Columbia, and therefore a limited number of available students for Universities, hence the pressure to ensure student enrollments.

Watch closely for the next few years as you will be seeing some strange things taking place up there to increase enrollments.

It is now all about Politics and jobs, and very little if anything about education.