Mid-Term Is Almost Here.
Good luck on Those Tests!

Next week is the beginning of mid-term exams at UCA. Some professors give mid-term tests in their classes, so you may hear your peers complaining about so many tests, or you may notice that everyone seems a little more preoccupied than usual.

The library may seem a little busier or the computer labs a little fuller. No matter. It's another univerisity experience. You may even have some mid-term exams in your IEP classes. Everyone will receive a mid-term grade report from your teachers so that you can see your progress so far this semester.

More Essays from Ms. Sera's Class.

Three more essays have been added to the Reading Room in the Differences section by Maya, Hun Loon (Andrew), and Daniel in addition to Irmina's Reading Newspapers and Yuki's story, Kitasaga High.

Two more stories will be posted soon. Irmina has written a fascinating piece about Cuba and Hun Loon (Andrew) presents a remarkable written tour about Malaysia. Look for these two stories next week!

We should also have some new photos for the Photo Gallery soon. Carlos has promised to send us some pictures from the picnic at Beaverfork.

Yuki Keeps Us Informed.

Yuki sent me the following dates for the UCA Bears games. She invites everyone to the games to support the football team AND to hear the band. One of Yuki's jobs as a graduate student in the music department is to rehearse the marching band.

Oct. 4: 6:00 p.m. at UCA
Oct. 11: 6:00 p.m. at UCA (Family Day)
Nov. 1: 3:00 p.m. at UCA (Homecoming)
Nov. 8: 3:00 p..m. at UCA
Nov. 15: TBA Russellville

The following dates are Yuki's performances this semester (no admission). Yuki plays the tuba and the euphonium.

Oct. 14: 7:30 p.m. UCA Octubafest Student solo and ensemble recitals at the Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall
Dec. 2: 7:30 p.m. Brass Ensembles recital at the Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall
Dec. 4: 7:30 p.m. Fall Symphonic Bands concert at Reynolds Performance Hall

More News
from Students from Afar.

Planet IEP has received news from several "graduates." It's always nice to hear from students who have moved to another state or country or have returned home. Li Qiang is working for a US fireworks company in China, so he spends his time commuting between China and the US. Now that's a long commute. Mai Tashima has transferred to a school in Missouri to study design. She sends a goodbye to all her friends and classmates at UCA. Jungmin Park writes from Korea that her Mom visited Conway (we guess to visit Minsoo, Jungmin's brother) and that she is studying for the TOEIC test, a university requirement there. Good luck, Jungmin! Dr. Souidi Anasse is now working for the Arkansas Health Department. What a success story! From IEP to MD. Anne Chukova finished summer school at UCA and has returned to Russia. She sends her goodbye and hopes to return next fall to UCA. We hope so, too!

Got Boredom?
Check Out the Important Dates.

If you are getting cabin fever (boredom), then read the Important Dates information below. Several opportunities are offered on campus for students to get involved and beat the ennui.

Important Dates

International Paella Picnic.

The UCA French, German, and Spanish Clubs will host the annual international "Paella Picnic" at Toadsuck Park. Cuisine from around the world is offered for your delight. Dr. Zambrano will cook his famous paella just for the picnic. Everyone is invited to bring a dish from their own country.

Wednesday, October 8.

5:30 p.m. til dark. If you need a ride, meet in the parking lot between Irby and McAlister at 5:15.

Hope to see you there!

Mid-Term at UCA.

Next week is mid-term at UCA, so you may hear your peers complaining about too many tests. Everyone will receive a grade report from your IEP teachers before Fall Break.

Monday-Friday, October 6-10.

All over campus!

Learning is a process, not a product.

How Good
Is Your Grammar?

Thanks to one of Corndancer's contributors, Mr. Darbo, for sending us a link to test our grammar knowledge. Just for fun, try it yourselves at http://encarta.msn.com/quiz/quiz.asp?quizid=51. You get instant results.

What Did She Say?

I just looked up this site to find the words to a U2 song. You might want to find the words to one of your favorite songs, too, at http://www.lyrics.com.

Planet IEP is a world of words for students and anyone else who is interested in English as a Second Language.

First and foremost, this site serves international students in the Intensive English Program (IEP) at the University of Central Arkansas. Planet IEP provides lesson plans, reminders, comments and musings on classroom projects. It serves as a venue for students to ask questions or make comments about any matter that concerns language or culture.

Let me begin with a traditional greeting: "Welcome to Planet IEP." The first step in using this site is to decide what you want to read. Look at the "links" (connections) on the left side of this page. You have several places to go.

If you are a student of Freddie Bowles, click on your class level to find information about class activities, homework, and most importantly, the Bonus Point Challenge.

The Dispatch from Afar is written by IEP students and staff from their home countries and travels afar.

If you want to see if there are any articles for you to read, click on Reading Room. Be sure and take a look at the Photo Gallery. Your picture might be on there!

Under International Links, you will find links to information from different countries. Do you want to read the news from home? Look under International Links to find a site that offers news from your home or from a classmate's home.

When you decide what site you want to visit, click on the icon, and the site will open. Within the site there will be other links for you to visit if you so choose. If you want to return to the beginning, click on Planet IEP Home and you will return to the homepage.

If you have any links
for the International Links page,
email me at freddieb@mail.uca.edu
Good luck as you travel on Planet IEP!