Proposed Program Dates Term Arrival Class Start Class End Depart

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1 THE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE INSTITUTE OF VIRGINIA TECH Summer Program in Scientific Writing, Presentations and Terminology A PROPOSAL for the UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF CHINA PROGRAM GOALS The goals of the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) Summer Program in Scientific Writing, Presentations and Terminology (SPSWPT) are as follows: 1) To prepare participants study at a higher education level in an English medium through a multilevel, academically focused English as a second language program 2) To help participants build writing skills for research papers on current scientific affairs 3) To build confidence and comfort among participants in giving presentations in English, as well as participating in discussions about current events and issues in science 4) To provide opportunities outside the classroom for participants to practice English language skills with native English speakers and students from other countries 5) To provide social and cultural orientation, and follow up advising as needed, so that participants feel comfortable in their new environment and capable of meeting their daily living needs Proposed Program Dates Term Arrival Class Start Class End Depart Summer II (4 wks) Sat, Jul 17, 2010 Mon, Jul Fri, Aug Sat, Aug 14, 2010 Recommended Language Proficiency for Participants: High intermediate to Advanced VTLCI Location: Virginia Tech main campus, Blacksburg Recommended arrival/departure airport: Roanoke Regional Airport (ROA) INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY Programmatic Expertise and International Commitment The Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute is well qualified to deliver an exceptional program of scientific writing and terminology, as well as enriching cultural exchange, to students from the University of Science and Technology of China. The Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute (VTLCI) conducts programs and activities in five major areas: intensive English for prospective international students; degree preparation for admitted internationals; foreign language training for contracted groups, faculty and staff; intercultural training for contracted groups; and language oriented capacity building initiatives for educational partners. VTLCI has locations in Blacksburg at the main Virginia Tech campus and in the National Capital Region at the university s Northern Virginia Center. The VTLCI is wholly owned and operated by Virginia Tech. In operation for more than 30 years, the VTLCI s Intensive English Program is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA). The VTLCI is a member of the American Association of Intensive English Programs (AAIEP), an association of accredited language schools supporting industry standards. VTLCI administrators hold membership in NAFSA: Association of International Educators. The VTLCI has

2 endorsed TESOL Standards for Postsecondary Programs and NAFSA Principles of International Educational Exchange. More than 20 nationalities, on average, are represented in the VTLCI Intensive English program for international students. Approximately 80% of VTLCI s Intensive English students intend to matriculate to universities in the U.S. at the undergraduate level. Over the last two years, more than 100 students have matriculated from VTLCI s Intensive English program to higher education institutions. As a testament to the institute s reputation, the English Language Program has hosted numerous students by virtue of its strong relationship with the Department of State (DOS) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Over the last two years, the English Language Program has served Fulbright students from over 20 countries. VTLCI is one of only two universities in the United States chosen by DOS and IIE to host the English language training component of its prestigious Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program for mid career professionals. VTLCI Faculty Faculty members have a Master s degree or greater in teaching English as a second language (TESL), applied linguistics or a related field. All are professionally active. The institute provides membership to all faculty members in Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Many of the institute s faculty members are second language learners themselves. Many have lived and/or taught abroad. As such, they are aware of the special adjustment needs of international students. The VTLCI takes a very personalized, tailored approach to assisting students in their adjustment. The smaller school size and long term nature of most instruction given is conducive to a more nurturing environment. INSTITUTIONAL RESOURCES Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, also known as Virginia Tech, is a public land grant university serving the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world community. Founded in 1872, Virginia Tech is the largest and most comprehensive university in Virginia. The university has a total enrollment of over 30,000 students in 140 Master's and doctoral programs and 60 bachelor's degree programs. The university is also host to one of the largest international student populations in the U.S.; the more than 2000 international students in attendance represent over 110 countries. The Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute is a unit within the university s Office of Outreach and International Affairs (OIA). Responsible for multinational outreach, this office oversees a portfolio of $34 million in innovative projects funded by the USAID in 37 developing countries. OIA also oversees the university s overseas study centers, education abroad, economic development, and international aid and research programs. 2

3 LOCATION Located immediately adjacent the Virginia Tech campus, the VTLCI is convenient to campus life and activities. Facilities available within more than 8000 feet of dedicated space include ten classrooms, a conference room, and a 20 station computer laboratory featuring the newest computer assisted language learning software available. Virginia Tech s campus is located in the Town of Blacksburg, which lies within Montgomery County in the heart of Southwest Virginia s New River Valley, 38 miles southwest of Roanoke and a 4 ½ hour drive from Washington, D.C. Because of the town s award winning services, reasonable cost of living, safety, moderate climate, and abundant leisure activities, Blacksburg is consistently ranked among the country s best places to live and has a nationwide reputation as a well managed, stable, and forwardlooking community. Virginia Tech s fully computerized library contains more than 2.3 million volumes, an array of specialized collections, and numerous electronic databases, such as Dow Jones News/Retrieval Service, Corporate and Industry Research Reports, Computer Select, Compact Disclosure, InfoTrac, Nexis Lexis, and Computstat PC Plus. SUMMER PROGRAM IN SCIENTIFIC WRITING, PRESENTATION AND TERMINOLOGY 1) The Program The SUMMER PROGRAM IN SCIENTIFIC WRITING, PRESENTATION AND TERMINOLOGY will consist of three components: 1) Scientific Writing; 2) Grammar, Speaking & Listening; and 3) Workshop in Scientific Presentations. The Scientific Writing course will adapt the fluency first approach and point of need philosophy to scientific writing and reading skills. In this special adaptation of our academic reading and writing course, students will read texts and periodicals with science content. Reading assignments will be discussed in small groups in class. Reading and vocabulary skills will also be taught within this framework. Students will journal daily. The primary project in class will be to research and write a formal research paper on a contemporary topic in physics, chemistry or biology using appropriate terminology, form and citations. The Grammar, Listening & Speaking course is based on communicative competency, incorporating form, meaning and use. Classroom activities in this program component will be geared toward applying grammatical concepts to real life in both oral and written production, using appropriate vocabulary and pronunciation. The Listening and speaking portion of this class will focus on on speech production, such as individual sounds and intonation, as well as introducing high interest topics that are commonly discussed in social and academic conversation. The Workshop in Scientific Presentations will be specifically designed to improve presentation skills around current topics in science. Objectives for this component of the program are as follows: Learn how to organize and give a formal academic presentation using power point 3

4 Practice speaking, focusing on clarity, fluency, and presentation using topics which include argument and summary skills Use discussion etiquette, employing specific strategies, working together in groups to practice interrupting, explaining theories, summarizing, and expressing opinions and criticism Students will practice giving oral presentations of different types, from informal reports on group discussions, individual impromptu speeches, to a final formal group presentation with power point slides. 2) Successful Completion Eligibility for advancement, i.e. passing the program, will be based on having achieved course learning outcomes, as measured by performance on tests, results of written and oral assignments, and an exit assessment of writing and reading skills. Students will be given a proficiency report at the conclusion of each session indicating the proficiency level attempted/achieved, letter grades in all classes, GPA, attendance, and test scores on standardized post tests including the Michigan Placement Test (an alternate form from the placement test). 3) Program Orientation The schedule for the program will include an orientation, a session on language learning strategies, and tours of town and campus, including the university health center and library. Developed in conjunction with the Cranwell International Center, Virginia Tech s international student office, the institute s orientation covers these topics: Rights and responsibilities of international student and exchange visitors Drug and alcohol abuse and its legal implications Dating and sexual choices Sexual harassment, stalking and date rape Personal safety on and off campus, and calling for help Balancing studies and enjoyment Recognizing and managing stress Using university health services, including counseling and mental health services Dangers of meeting people over the Internet, fraud and how to recognize phishing ploys The VTLCI has a 20 station computer assisted learning/technology center. As part of their introduction to the institute, SPSWPT participants will also be oriented to the use of instructional software. 4) Access to Facilities and Events Students of the English Language Institute receive Virginia Tech student identification cards. These cards permit access to campus activities such as art exhibitions, lectures, seminars, plays, concerts, community classes, socials and sporting events. Students further enjoy access to the university s Schiffert Health Center, campus libraries and library computers, The War Memorial Gym and Blacksburg Transit bus service. War Memorial Gym facilities include an indoor swimming pool, indoor basketball courts, racquetball courts, a gymnastics room, a weight room, volleyball courts, squash courts, saunas, and a dance/aerobics room. Tennis courts and the recreational soccer field are also open for VTLCI students. 4

5 5) Transportation Each participant will receive a local bus pass, which covers all transportation on the transit system serving the university and the surrounding community. SPSWPT participants will be expected to use public transportation for their personal needs. VTLCI will provide van transportation for required program activities. 6) Activities To enhance cultural learning, the VTLCI will arrange special field trips for program SPSWPT participants, to include: All day field trip to Roanoke, Virginia, to visit the local Farmers Market, the Taubman Museum of Art and History Museum of Western Virginia Half day visit to Smithfield Plantation, Blacksburg, Virginia, to view a local plantation and tour orchards planted with native heirloom trees (summer only) Evening participation in Fridays on Henderson Lawn, a summer festival series where families and students gather on the Virginia Tech lawn for local musical concerts A 3 day, 2 night cultural excursion to Washington, D.C., to take place between the 3 rd and 4 th weeks of the program, will include a visit to Capitol Hill, a tour of national monuments, and stops at the National Museum of the American Indian, the Natural History Museum, and the Air and Space Museum. SPSWPT participants may also join activities are regularly arranged for VTLCI students, which normally include shopping, hiking, canoeing, bowling and movie nights. Participation in these activities would be at extra cost. Sample Schedule (subject to change) Program Week 8:00 9:50 10:00 11:50 12:00 12:50 (M Th) After class/ Weekend Week 1 Grammar, Listening and Speaking Scientific Writing First Week Orientation, Workshop in Scientific Presentations Weeks 2 3 Grammar, Listening and Speaking Scientific Writing Workshop in Scientific Presentations All day field trip to Roanoke, Virginia Half day visit to Smithfield Plantation Fridays on Henderson Lawn Washington D.C. trip 3 days, 2 nights Week 4 Grammar, Listening and Speaking (final tests) Scientific Writing (final project due) Workshop in Scientific Presentations (final presentations and graduation) Participants check out of residence halls the Saturday after graduation 5

6 7) Housing and Dining SPSWPT participants will be housed two to a room in a campus residence hall. Virginia Tech dormitories are appropriately furnished, secure and well staffed. They have shared kitchen facilities that students can use, but the majority of meals will be taken in university dining halls. The dining plan will include 19 meals per week in a campus dining hall. Students may eat all they like each sitting and may choose daily between many food options. MANAGEMENT PLAN Three VTCLI administrators will bear responsibility for implementation of the summer program. A Program Coordinator (to be named) will be employed to see to all of the logistical details of the program, including airport pickups, orientation to the university and town, housing and meals, transportation needs, cultural programming, medical insurance, student ID cards, and bank accounts. The Associate Director will see to execution of the academic program, including initial placement testing, organization of classes, computer lab sessions and workshops, ongoing assessment, advising and reporting of student progress. The VTLCI Director will be responsible for heading up the project as a whole, including supervising all personnel involved in the program, managing the budget, and liaising with USTC. Director, Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute As Director of the VTLCI, Don Back has considerable experience in staging programs for internationals. Mr. Back was responsible for securing and overseeing implementation of agreements with the Institute of International Education (IIE) to host Fulbright exchange scholars and with IIE and the Department of State to host Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows. Prior to joining Virginia Tech, Don was with ELS Language Centers, where he was most recently responsible for recruiting in Latin America and for developing corporate contracts for the company s 42 intensive English programs. For more than 5 years, Don worked closely with Ernst & Young New York to provide a tailored month long program of intensive English, technical training and cultural acclimation to groups of 50 international company professionals bound thereafter to offices throughout the U.S. for year long training assignments. A former Peace Corps volunteer, he has been active in international education for 20 years and has worked in managerial capacities in English language programs for more than 15 years. Mr. Back is past president of the American Association of Intensive English Programs (AAIEP). He holds a masters degree in International Education from the Center for International Education at the University of Massachusetts. Associate Director/Main Campus Location Born and raised in Australia, Dr. Jensen has traveled extensively and has 30 years of teaching and training experience in Australia, Japan, and the United States. A gifted linguist, Dr. Jensen earned a BA Honors (First Class) with a double major in German and Japanese as well as an MA in German and a Diploma in Education in foreign language education, from the University of Queensland. She has taught Australian immigrants and both Australian and U.S. children at all levels from K 12, and holds teaching certifications in the U.S. and Australia. Her other professional activities have included directing the Humphrey Fellows Long term English Training Program and Pre MBA Program for the VTLCI, consulting on language and intercultural training in the U.S. and Japan, and directing an annual summer intensive ESL program for Centenary College in New Jersey. Dr. Jensen has been affiliated with the VTLCI since She completed her doctorate in International Education at Old Dominion University in May

7 Summer Program in Scientific Writing, Presentations and Terminology PROGRAM COST, MAIN VIRGINIA TECH CAMPUS, BLACKSBURG Based on 20 Students participating Course fee* $ 34, Other fees (Student ID, Schiffert Health Center, Blacksburg Transit) $ 2, Health insurance ** $ Housing, linens and meals $ 17, Cultural program $ 11, Total Program** $ 65, Per Participant $ 3, * Inclusive of tuition (24 hours/week instruction), program administration, materials/books, airport pickup and drop off, orientation program ** Health insurance meeting university requirements is mandatory for all participants. Cost assumes participants will buy travel insurance in China. Health insurance will be an additional estimated $320 per participant if purchased at Virginia Tech upon arrival. 7