Rick Montanez
Staff Writer

The English Language Service Center is joining the University of La Verne in efforts to bring more international students to the University. In August, ELS moved its offices from Chapman University in Orange to ULV.

The program is designed to teach international students English as a second language. “We teach English to the world” is a slogan used by the language centers.

“ULV is providing students an opportunity to be a part of its campus,” said Sandra Adams, ELS Center Director.

ELS has more than 40 centers around the United States, and it began in 1961 in Washington, D.C.

The program offers monthly cycles. Students can choose to stay for anywhere between one to 12 cycles.

ELS offers a curriculum that takes international students from a beginning level to a master’s level. When the students reach a master’s level, they are able to speak near fluent English and are prepared enough to enter a four-year university program.

The cycles begin every four weeks. At the beginning of the cycle, students take a placement test to see if they need to be advanced or stay at the same level.

Students can also choose an intensive or semi-intensive program. The intensive program is a 30-hour work week, compared to the semi-intensive program of a 20-hour week.

Prices for the intensive program are listed on their Web site www.els.com as $1,395 and $1,045 for the semi-intensive program.

ELS currently has 22 students in the La Verne program. They house students in six rooms in the Oaks Residence Hall. They also have rooms in the Sheraton Hotel near the Fairplex in Pomona.

Students also have the opportunity to be housed with a homestay family. The homestay family must live within a 30-minute public transit ride. The host family also has to provide two meals a day as well as a private room with the same amenities as a residence hall.

The program has no limit as to how many students it will accept. There is no problem finding additional housing or professors. The only problem may be finding classrooms at ?ULV to hold the sessions. Leo’s Hall is the current home for the ELS students.

“We have organized activities with ULV undergrads also,” Adams said.
There are many events marked on their calendar. Upcoming events include “Mama Mia Musical” on Feb. 18 and a trip to San Francisco. These events are planned to help reduce the stress on students who travel abroad.

“It’s hard because I’m alone and my family is in Brazil. It’s difficult to adapt,” said Kenia Pinto, an ELS student since August.

Pinto lives in the Oaks Residence Hall on the international student floor. Having experienced the program offered at ULV she does not want to go home just yet, although her stay is over in just two weeks. She says the students at ULV are welcoming and helpful.

ELS students are not ULV students, however, the program is allowed to utilize ULV accommodations for their students.

ELS hopes to prepare these students to enter programs like ULV undergraduate studies. As of right now, ELS has had two transfers to ULV.

Rick Montanez can be reached at phidelt139@hotmail.com.