From Sep 3 to Sep 10, a one-week English Enhancement Programme (EEP) was attended by all year-one new students. Compared to last year, the EEP contained more activities, and gave more emphasis to the practical use of English. The students generally found it interesting, and the EEP was a brand new experience for them.
Interactive education
Prof. Eva Lai, Director of the English Language Center said EEP created an interesting environment rich in foreign cultures for the students so that they could explore their interest and adapt themselves to an English-teaching environment as fast as they can.
EEP was conducted by foreign teachers from the English Language Center to improve the students' English listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The foreign teachers employed a diversity of games, including acting, dancing, music, oral presentations, etc. Many of the games combined students' individual talents with team-work.
The teachers were friendly and cordial. They selected hot topics for free discussions. Most students learned how to express themselves and gave feedbacks to the teachers. 
Experiencing foreign culture
The EEP lectures were rich in content and varied in style. Teachers coming from different background elaborated on their own different culture with their unique lecturing style.
Navid from Iran reviewed the relationship between the Persian emperors and modern Iranians-a fascinating topic for the students. Joel from the Indian Navajo nation talked about the Navajo people's history, language, food and costumes, and showed their local necklaces and shoes to the students. Prof. Eva Lai talked about the cultural differences between the West and the East in a humorous manner. Alma from Philippines shared her foreign language learning experience with the students. John from America sharpened the students' pronunciation by means of tongue twisters, and Brendan from South Africa played violin and encouraged the students to use English vocabulary to describe the wonderful and soothing music.
Feedbacks from the students
I was respected in the class. In high school, the teachers were somehow dominating, but the teachers in UIC are friendly and treat us equally: they try to be friends with us. Everyone has the opportunity to speak, and this is real encouragement. Alma taught us how to learn foreign language and how to overcome the barriers. This is very helpful.
-----Zhang Chi from Shanxi, majoring in Human Resource Management
The teachers have very unique teaching styles: they made the class very interesting. The classes proceeded step by step, were heuristic and evoked spontaneous thinking. That was quite different from traditional teaching.
-----Cao Jie from Zhejiang, majoring in Computer Science and Technology
The teachers integrated English learning skills into various kinds of games. This helped us conquer the fear of English-speaking, and before we knew, we had acquired some English learning skills.
-----Gong Chao from Inner Mongolia, majoring in Accounting
The small-class model is very flexible. It not only improved our English, but communication and planning skills as well.
-----Fang Jin from Guizhou, majoring in Finance
Some students found that the EEP schedule was so tight that they didn't have enough time to absorb what should have been learned. Sometimes the classes proceeded too fast and some students had difficulty catching up. Other students suggested that a special English vocabulary course should be set up.
John Halstead from the English Language Center revealed that the general English level of year-one students had improved. Some new students have difficulty getting used to the English environment at UIC. They were too shy to open their mouth. He hoped that these students could overcome the handicap and not be bothered by it.
Written by Huang Shanqing, Translated by Richard, Photo by Richard & Elaine
Editor Cherly Chen
Media & Communication Office
