Terrific tune-up: Summer brings crash course for ESL international students

For the nine international students in instructor Eric Shockley’s classes, it hasn’t exactly been a summer of leisure — but they certainly don’t mind. The students are part of the newly reintroduced ESL Summer Institute, an intensive 6-week program designed to help students from other countries strengthen their English skills and prepare for life on campus at UW-Green Bay. They meet three hours a day, five mornings a week, for instruction in listening and speaking, reading and writing — as well as discussions on what to expect in an American classroom. It’s hard work, but fun, too — outings are planned about three times a week, and the group recently traveled to Chicago to see the sites and sample the cuisine. Students say the program is easing nerves and boosting confidence, along with language skills, as fall semester draws near. We have a feature story, photos and more – click here.