As an intern at the Writing Center, I am all too often saddened that I cannot do more to help international students. Although the Writing Center can offer help with developing appropriate writing skills for American academia, that help can only go so far if the student’s English skills are not adequate.
I am even more saddened when I cannot refer the student to a better on-campus resource. Although UW currently has an ESL program, it is too small to meet the demands of the ever-growing international student population.
The current ESL program is designed for degree-seeking international students who have advanced English skills.
Although the current program is a great resource for students seeking additional help understanding the English language or American culture, it is unfortunately very small.
Presently, it only offers three classes as well as an English oral skills lab. Petra Heinz, the ESL Coordinator, claims that in the fall of 2013 the program only had the capacity for a mere 90 students.
However, in that same semester there was a whopping 815 international students, meaning that 725 students were unable to utilize the ESL classes offered.
Due to the current ESL program’s restrictions, it seems imperative that the university adopt a bigger, more traditional ESL program that can cater to a bigger population of international students.
As Jill Johnson, the Associate Director of Admissions of International Students and Scholars, states: “A more traditional ESL program would be for international students before they start degree programs, providing English as a Second Language courses from very beginner to advanced.”
Some may say “that’s preposterous! UW has enough financial problems right now as it is!” I beg to differ. If the University can spend millions of dollars constructing new buildings all over campus, then surely it can provide a better and bigger ESL program in one of those state-of-the-art buildings.
I am sure many international students who could use help with their English capabilities would much rather have an ESL program to learn in than a brand new classroom to learn in. After all, the ESL program will be helping them do what they came to America to do—reach their full potential. And that is a right all students at UW should have.
Billi Lein
UW Senior
