Dear Students,

Here we are, beginning the ninth week of classes, with spring break less than two weeks away! Time really does fly!

I hope you all have exciting plans for spring break. Mrs. Bowles, Sera, and I will be in Baltimore, Maryland, for the annual TESOL conference. TESOL is Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. It is an international organization with thousands of members all over the world. Usually 8,000 to 10,000 people attend the annual conference. We're definitely excited about this opportunity to meet with other English teachers and learn more about how to help our students reach their goals!

Speaking of opportunities, I want to remind you of some upcoming opportunities for you.

Institutional TOEFL

First, the Institutional TOEFL is fast approaching. It will be Monday, April 7, at 9:00 a.m. in Student Center 215. I have ordered 30 copies of the test, and right now 22 people have signed up to take it. That means there are still eight spaces left. If you didn't sign up for TOEFL, but would like to test, it's not too late. Contact me if you want to sign-up.

If your TOEFL score is 500 or better and you are an undergraduate student, you will be able to begin full-time university classes in the summer or fall of this year.

Extra Classes Next Fall.

If you are in Level 2 and you receive between 450 and 473 on TOEFL, you will be able to take one extra class in addition to your IEP classes next fall. If you are in Level 2, receive between 475 and 497 on TOEFL, and have a 3.0 GPA, you will be able to take two extra classes. I usually suggest that students take a math course and/or the UCA course called "Concepts of Lifetime Health and Fitness" as their extra class(es). If you have questions about these courses, please let me know.

You cannot take these courses this summer. They are called concurrent courses, and "concurrent courses" means that they happen "at the same time" as your IEP classes. We will not be offering IEP classes this summer, so you would not be able to take these courses at the same time as IEP classes in the summer.

Advance Registration
for Summer and Fall.

Level 3 students with all As and Bs at mid-term will soon be able to advance register for university courses in the summer or fall semester. If you earned all As and Bs at mid-term, you will be able to register between April 9 and 23.

Before registering, there are some placement tests that you must take to determine whether you will need to take Intermediate Algebra, Transitional Reading, and/or Transitional Writing to prepare you for College Algebra and Freshman Composition. I have made special arrangements for IEP students to take these tests from April 9 to 17 in the afternoon. You will need to see me to make an appointment to take the tests and also to make an appointment to speak to an advisor. There is a $5.00 fee for each test, so you will need to pay $15.00 if you are taking all three tests. (Some of you have already taken the math test, so you will not have to take it again.)

Credit for Level 3.

If you are in Level 3 right now and are admitted to UCA and not just to IEP, you have the chance to receive 3 credits for your IEP course work this semester. If you receive a 3.0 GPA with no grade below a B, get 500 or more on TOEFL, and pass the Reading and Writing placement tests mentioned above, you will receive 3 credits for your IEP courses. These credits will be listed as WLAN (World Languages) 2300 on your UCA transcripts. If you are going to get a bachelor of arts degree, these credits will count toward your foreign language requirement. If you are getting a different type of degree, the credits will count as elective credit.

IEP scholarship.

At least one IEP student will receive an out-of-state tuition scholarship for the Fall 2003 semester. To qualify for this scholarship, you must have a 3.5 GPA, good attendance, and a letter of recommendation from an instructor. Students will be able to apply for the scholarship in April, and a committee of UCA professors and staff members (not IEP teachers) will choose the winner. The winner will be announced at our IEP End-of-Semester Reception on Tuesday, April 29.

The opportunities listed above are all good reasons for you to do your best in your IEP classes. Of course, improving your English is the main reason for you to try to do your best, but we are also glad that we can provide some benefits to students who do well in their IEP classes. Your teachers and I want you to be successful language learners and university students, and we will help you reach those goals in any way we can. Please let us know how we can help you!

Sincerely,

Lynn Ramage Schaefer, Interim Coordinator
Intensive English Program
Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Irby Hall #207J
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR 72035
tel: (501) 450-3671
fax: (501) 450-5185
lynnr@mail.uca.edu