Houghton College inaugurated the Intensive Academic English Program (IAEP), this fall semester, helping international students improve their English language skills as they began their college careers. Seven international students, one man and six women, are currently enrolled in the program and hail from countries including Mali, Barbados, and Burma.
Dr. Mark Hunter, director of CASA (Center for Academic Success and Advisement), said the college selected these first-years as “students of non-traditional background… [who have] shown motivation, desire, and potential” but also need some assistance with English. He also stated the lessons are “distinguished from ESL, which is about conversation” whereas the program’s aim is “improving reading and writing abilities to what is expected at Houghton.” The students take classes in reading, writing, speaking, and listening instruction in addition to Biblical Literature and College Study Methods.
The listening and speaking portions of the IAEP are presented by Prof. Colleen Ahland who teaches “how to listen to a lecture [and] take notes,” using methods such as video lectures and going “over strategies for note taking and presenting.” Her instruction is “mainly practice” and she stated that, “I want them to be functional in an academic English setting.”
Likewise, Prof. Michael Ahland, Assistant Professor of Linguistics and TESOL, teaches the reading portion. He says his classes involve a “great deal of talking and interaction,” and the lessons are “highly practical,” providing his students with the “skills needed to be a good reader, writer, presenter.” During one class, Michael Ahland focused on formulating inferences, or assumptions, about a text while reading. After teacher assistants acted out dialogues, the students studied the written text and discussed in small groups the inferences they had made. While Michael Ahland said “I try to keep it lively,” he also said that what thrills him about the IAEP is that “these are students that are really excited to be here.”
While the IAEP was formed to provide students in need with higher-level English classes, its creation is also linked to Houghton’s global mission. Dr. Hunter expressed that the program is part of Houghton’s focus on global engagement, stating, “I think the diverse backgrounds of the students is exciting.” The participants of the IAEP have roots in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, allowing for the spread of world cultures and languages on campus. Colleen Ahland said “diversity leads to better ideas which better the academic setting.”
When asked about something that excited her about the program, Colleen Ahland cited “getting students interacting with others from other countries. That’s education itself.”