Dear IEP Students,

Leaving your home country to go thousands of miles (kilometers!) away is a very brave thing to do. It shows that you are a special person who is not afraid to do something different. You are someone who wants to see the world and experience other cultures. You have started a journey that will expand your mind and teach you many things — mostly about yourself.

We are so glad that you have chosen to start your journey here with us.

Your hard-working IEP teachers want to make sure you have every possible chance to improve your English. To achieve this goal, we will ask you to do many things.

We will call on you to participate actively in every class meeting.

We will assign you homework to practice the skills you are learning in class.

We will urge you to do activities outside class in which you use English.

We will give you tests and quizzes to check your understanding of the material presented in class and to monitor your progress.

Some of our methods may be quite different from the methods used by your teachers back home. In fact, sometimes you might be a little shocked by the things your IEP teachers ask you to do. Please be as open-minded as possible and try these new learning methods. As we discussed during orientation activities last week, every person has a different learning style. Part of your journey is to learn which style is best for you. You are the only person who can do that.

Most of you are not here specifically to improve your English. You are here to get a degree in computer science, health, business, education, science, math, or some other subject. However, better English will be a great help to you as you pursue your studies, and it will help you in the future as you do your job.

Because of technology such as the web site you are exploring right now, the world is becoming more and more connected. People all over the world need to be able to communicate with each other. As I'm sure you've noticed, most of them are using English to do so.

Again, welcome to UCA! If you have any questions or problems, please feel free to see me in Irby Hall #409, or send me an e-mail message at lynnr@mail.uca.edu. My job is to help you, and I will do my very best to make you feel at home here.

Sincerely,

Lynn Ramage Schaefer

Interim Coordinator,
Intensive English Program

Department of Foreign Languages
Irby Hall #207
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR 72035
tel: (501) 450-5120
lynnr@mail.uca.edu