New group of Brazil students arrives at ELI

Twenty college students from Brazil arrived last week at the English Language Institute for a month-long immersion into American culture.

“We are pleased to host these students — they come from some of the best universities in Brazil,” said Dr. Jim Hamrick, ELI director. “We’re especially excited about the opportunities these students will have to interact with students and faculty on campus.”

The Brazilians will participate in specially arranged classes taught by UT faculty from various disciplines. The students will learn about U.S. society — how values, events, and conflicts of the past have shaped American culture, politics, and society.

ELI is a part of the University of Tennessee’s Center for International Education.

ELI changes administrative location

With a great deal of thought by several people, the decision was recently made to transfer the English Language Institute to the administrative unit of Dr. Pia Wood, Associate Provost and Director of International Education, said Dr. Norvel Burkett, Assistant Provost of University Outreach & Continuing Education. 

“ELI Director Jim Hamrick and his staff now have a greater opportunity to utilize their expertise and experience with international students and organizations in this new arrangement,” Burkett said. “With a growing interest by UTK to make a stronger effort to ensure international educational is a major component of the educational experience of its students, ELI can potentially play a larger role in bringing this goal to fruition.” 

Hamrick asked that we share the following comment with you on behalf of his staff:

“All of us at ELI want to express our regret about severing ties with UOCE,” Hamrick said. “We have so many positive connections to the division as an organization, and of course to individual employees. This kind of change will be hard on many of us.”

Burkett added: “ELI has been a part of the Division since its inception some 25 years ago. It will be a real loss to us, but we certainly wish for them all the luck in the world. They are not only a great staff, but are also wonderful individuals. I offer my sincere thanks for all they have contributed to our Division over the years.”

Shanghai, Wuhan university students visit ELI

Fifty undergraduate students from Shanghai University and Wuhan University took part in a “Summer Language and Culture Program” earlier this month at the English Language Institute.

The students participated in morning classes that emphasized spoken English and awareness of cultural differences in the U.S. The curriculum included homework that required them to observe social interactions on campus and in Knoxville.

They also visited several places of interest, including a visit to Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Ocoee River, where they enjoyed whitewater rafting.

ELI to host South American group

A group of college students from South America will arrive July 12 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, for a month-long immersion into American culture.

UT’s English Language Institute is hosting 18 students from Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela as part of a program called “Study of the United States Institutes for Foreign Leaders.”

ELI received a grant worth more than $300,000 to host the program, which is administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the U.S. Department of State.

“The students who participate in this program are outstanding,” said Dr. Jim Hamrick, ELI director. “They are outstanding academically and they have outstanding leadership potential. We are glad to have them on campus and introduce them to UT faculty, staff, and the East Tennessee community.

The students will learn about how values, events, and conflicts of the past have shaped American culture, politics, and soceity. They also will have sessions on developing their leadership skills and participate in several community service activities.

The group will leave the UT campus on August 4 for a study tour that includes travel to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Atlanta, New York, and Washington, D.C.

Several UT faculty and staff will help teach the classes. They include Ron Foresta, geography; Jon Shefner, sociology; Cheryl Barksdale, Center for Executive Education; Marva Rudolph, Office of Equity and Diversity (OED); Jenny Richter, OED associate director; and Tony Moses and Anwar Accawi of ELI.

ELI receives token of friendship from Sichuan University group

Li Tianfu (right) of Sichuan University in China presents a token of friendship to Dr. Jim Hamrick, director of the University of Tennessee’s English Language Institute.

Tianfu and 11 colleagues are participating in a short-term language and culture program at UT through June 22.

ELI hosts faculty, staff members from China’s Sichuan University

Twelve faculty and staff members from China are participating in a short-term language and culture program at the English Language Institute.

The group from Sichuan University of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, arrived at UT on June 7 and will stay on campus through June 22.

The members will spend weekday mornings participating in an English language course taught by ELI and other UT faculty.

“None of this group has traveled to the United States before, so this is UT’s chance to make a positive first impression of both Tennessee and the U.S.,” says Dr. Jim Hamrick, ELI director.

Also while in Knoxville, the group will visit area attractions such as Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Museum of Appalachia, Tennessee Smokies professional baseball, Knoxville Museum of Art, and take a day trip to Nashville.

UT and Sichuan signed a linkage agreement in November 2004 to promote the exchange of students, the exchange of faculty members, and collaboration on research.

Venezuelan student follows dad to ELI

Andreina Brandt heard so much about her father Andre’s experience at the English Language Institute that she decided to try it for herself.

 “My father really just wanted to be in a small town like Knoxville, and he absolutely loved it,” says the 26-year-old Venezuelan, who studied at ELI this spring and equally enjoyed it.

 Brandt says one of her favorite things is learning about new cultures.

“There are so many different cultures represented in ELI and I love learning all of (them),” Brandt says. “I learn something new every day.”

 Brandt is pursuing a master’s degree in human resources.