Oregon State University - Beaver Yearbook (Corvallis, OR)

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MICHAK1. OOWIJvSS The English Language Institute provided space and a comfortable atmosphere for those unfamiliar with America’s native tongue and those who just wanted ' somewhere new to go. makk v coma MICHAEL DOWLESS While not doing research on Chemical Engineering. Gosia Pacut of Poland finds time to converse with Tina Rosier, junior in Construction Engineering Management. Munehiro Mutsuno of Achi-city, Japan uses the E.L.I. Language Lab, located in the basement of Kidder Hall to become familiar with the English Language. ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTITUTE • 27

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VO LU N PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FOREIGN U STUDENTS TO LEARN ENGLISH IN COMMUNICATING across vast distances, the last three feet are the hardest and most important. Magazines and media—however valuable in their own right—are not a substitute for a superb discussion among individuals.” —Edward Murrow Tucked away behind the Student Health Center stood a small institute whose activities focused on developing language skills, adjusting to different cultures and building friendships. The English Language Institute (ELI) was established in 1965 for the purpose of helping students from foreign countries pass the Test of English as a Foreign language (TOFEL). A major program within the ELI was the Conversant Program which focused on crossing the cultural barrier at close range. “The goal of the program is more than teaching foreign students how to speak English, said Lisa Ohlen, Conversant Program Coordinator at ELI. “Americans read books and watch movies but until you meet someone face to face and talk with them and find out what they’re really like, you can’t understand them or the culture they came from.” 26 Each week over 85 fluid English-speaking conversants and 80 foreign students met for one hour and spoke English on a casual basis. The personal one-on-one conversation hours between American and foreign students provided the opportunity to exchange a goldmine of information. Details about people, customs, traditions and religions were exchanged in a relaxing way. often over a cup of coffee in the Monroe street Beanery or during a bike ride through the countryside. Friendships formed quickly. During this hour, foreign students had the opportunity to practice English, and American students had the opportunity to learn what goes on during everyday routines in a foreign country. We get most of our conversants by word of mouth. said Ohlen. “The program is especially popular among International Business majors going overseas, into International Business, history or just learning about other countries.” said Ohlen. The ELI program could be used as a job reference. Many participants feel the program teaches valuable communication skills that makes a graduate more marketable. “It is easy to walk around with a tunnel in front of your face and stay only in your close group of friends. The Conversant Program is for people who are ready to open their eyes and see beyond America. she said. The Conversant Program worked closely with the ELI Cultural Program which provided movies, parties, and field trips to help share bits of our culture with the foreign students. Helpful hints for survival in a normal day’s routine are often on subjects Americans overlook or take for granted. “ ‘How do you order a cup of coffee?’ ” was a common question asked by foreign students. They wanted to make sure they did it the proper way, explained Ohlen. The opportunity to view the OSU campus through a foreign student’s eyes was an educational tool unavailable in the ordinary classroom. OSU conversant students could request a among international Business majors, said Ohlen. Foreign students spent hours in the communications media center in the basement of Kidder Hall listening and practicing English with earphones on. Lisa Bronson, assistant coordinator for the Conversant Program said. “The program is flexible and students meet together as often as they want.” Some foreign students conversed for just a few weeks while others continued for a term or through the year. Conversants could choose to switch students each term if they wanted to learn about different countries. The conversant program is a unique educational tool for partners on both sides, said Ohlen. Conversant pairs spent time going to stores on Monroe, meeting before or after classes and touring campus or just sitting down for a popular frozen-yogurt treat. Depending on the depth of the friendship formed, some conversants took their new found friends to church or home over Christmas and spring breaks. “It’s really open, said Ohlen. Foreign students came from all over the world, but the majority of ELI students came from Asia and Japan. “These students are really the cream of the crop. They are here to study because they are sponsored by their government or a company.” Helping other people, teaching them about our culture and learning about theirs has become a very important part of my education.” said Bronson. The ELI Conversant Program was run on a volunteer or work-study basis. □ by Ginny Rajnus 26 • ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTITUTE

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MICHAEL DOWLESS Inspecting his book stock and updating his inven-tory list is Howard Mills, owner of Avocet Used Books on 614 SW 3rd street. Scott Lindsay, senior In Mechanical Engineering, browses through the engineering section of the Book Bin for a bargain. From The Beans of Egypt, Maine by Carolyn Chute to Victory by Joseph Conrad, students looked for classics and texts at Avocet Bookstore. MICHAEL DOWIJ5S One of the many alternatives to the OSU Bookstore is the downtown bookstore, The Book Bin, located on 351 NW Jackson Avenue. MICHAEL DOWLESS MICHAEL DOWLESS 28 • BOOK BUY