A Big Multinational Family in Gonzaga

Sitting on a bench on campus, you will see groups of international students heading toward the Schoenberg center, the building for international program. You will also notice that those students seem to own the campus over summer. They are from different countries, but they have a big family, the Gonzaga English Language Center, in Spokane.

The Gonzaga English Language Center (ELC) was established in 1978. Moving into the Schoenberg center in 2008 has brought students and teachers closer. Every year it provides 6 semesters and attracts a variety of nationalities to enroll the program each semester. By having high standards and accomplishing goals for each student in the program, the faculty has strong desire to see the students improve their English abilities.
“GU ESL is really tough. I have to get up early, go to school at 9 a.m. and have a lot of homework to do after 2:15 p.m. everyday. Sometimes I complain, but I am happy with a busy schedule because I see my English improvement little by little,” says Rachel Kim, who is Korean.

The ELC faculty teach beyond the classroom setting, encouraging students to engage in the community, too. The students visit nursing homes, elementary schools and take field trips to important cultural locations. A conversation partner program allows students to meet GU undergraduate students and find out more about American college life.
Vicky Guo, who finished her ESL program in May 2009, says, “I really like the idea of conversation partner. I’ve never thought about having an American friend, but I do now, and we are still in touch after I graduated. Thank ESL program!”

International Student Program

Students find studying abroad a challenge whether they are already good at English. Everything is unfamiliar, from arriving in the United States to taking a placement test. They also must deal with cultural differences. Fortunately, these GU students have a program to assist them with all they need. The International Student Program (ISP) holds its mission to help all international students to overcome difficulties such as airport pick-up, identification to orientation.
Melissa Heid, the program coordinator, says, “I have the best job. I get to meet people from all over the world, learn about different cultures, and experience aspects of those cultures-language customers.” Working in ELC opens her eyes, makes her more patient, and clarifies her old perspectives. Students' questions about issues such as buying milk make her aware of the daily challenges international students face.

Amber Mckenzie, “establish trust, respect, and a mutually beneficial relationship with students”.

ELC has created a family-like atmosphere spontaneously through close relationships between the staff, faculty, and students. "Patience, humor, and culture competence are three blocks for building a relationship with people from all over the world," says Amber McKenzie, who has 14-year experience working with international students. She finds communication a challenge especially when she works with someone whose English is limited. However, she has learned doing her best to give patience, show her respect and kindness by authentically listening to not only what they are “saying” but also their facial expressions, mannerisms, or mood. Assumptions and stereotypes occur when people meet someone from different cultures that they are not familiar with. “I have found the less I know about a culture, the more wrong I am about it!” She figures out she was very wrong with assuming the Saudi Arabians' disdain for women.
She always lightens where she stands and who stands next to her with her sunshiny smile and 365-day long lasting enthusiasm, even though she is a coordinator of international programs and a manager of Marketing and Graduate programs. She believes that humor diffuses nervous feelings of students struggling in a new language and culture. “Humor can also help build rapport, establish a connection, and ease tension,” says Amber.

Why GU ESL

Miscommunications and cultural misunderstandings sometimes are conflicts on the way building a harmonic-diversity community. Some students have had difficulties getting along with certain nationalities, while others have made international friends.

An ESL graduate, Edwin Martinez recalls and makes a point, "GU ESL is really like a big family for all these students, at least for me. The schedule is busy and the activity tights us up. I really miss the times back then."
Alberto Arias Sandoval, a Colombian student in level 108, emphasizes that GU ESL program is an excellent place for sharing, “Everyone is responsible for his/her activity and helping with the activities of the others members’ teams when we do teamwork.”
Misael Kuan Bahamon, a level-105 student from Colombia, says, “The ESL program not only helps me learning English, meeting new friends from different countries, but also extends my life in a different culture.” He participates in many campus activities such as Wednesday’s sport, soccer games, and friends’ birthday parties. “Even though we are from different countries, we are like a big family. I am happy to be invited and have a good time with them.” He has a philosophy bachelor’s degree, working extremely hard on English pronunciation. He has to overcome or forget Spanish vowels and learn them in English all over again. “One time I was frustrated by communicating with my Taiwanese friend. She needed my help on her philosophy assignment; I have knowledge, but I could not explain it to her clearly and completely in English.“ He has 3 more sessions to accomplish the ESL program and he is confident in the program and the strict but friendly professors that will provide him thorough courses.

“Be a happy magnet---is what I tell myself everyday”---Alice, Tang.

Alice Tang is the most recognized as a social butterfly, the kindest helper, and the 2009 outstanding student in her master’s program, TESL (Teaching English as Second Language). She came to Spokane in 2007 from Taiwan and had gone through two sessions in ESL classes. She finds the classes helpful in both culture learning and educational enhancement. While taking the ESL classes, Alice had the biggest challenge to experience the different education system in an American class. She recognizes that teachers here encourages and are eager students to ask questions in class, while she has been taught in Taiwan that asking questions is viewed as challenging teachers’ authority.
“Fortunately, ESL is a bridge for me to balance two different cultures as well as a cushion to polish my English before I entered the master’s program,” says Alice. Her personality fits her for a ISP assistant. She has a warm yellow heart and an ocean wide mind to embrace everyone with her love, showing consideration for her neighbor, Bob, who is handicapped. Her direct and neat behavior has moved Bob so deeply that he showed his appreciation with a letter to Gonzaga University. Moreover, the professors in her master’s program have been sure that she deserved praise, Graduate Outstanding Student in 2009.

It is not only something about English learning, but something big as open their world view.

Have graduated from ESL program and TESL, Alice has enriched her life and continues her journey in the U.S. She also enjoys experiencing the culture and language every moment by working in ISP as a non-native English speaker.

It is educational and fun!

“I strongly believe our students feel cared for while in our program, and this means a lot to me and to them,” says Amber with confidence. Having traveled in Taiwan many times, Amber is fascinated by scooter-culture, night markets, and especially a Buddhist temple. She also indicates, “Lots of challenges that have turned into VERY valuable life lessons!”