International Fair set for November 5

International House will celebrate its first Fall Festival this year on Friday, November 5, 2010, at Thompson-Boling Arena from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Admission is free.

This festival will showcase more cultures and countries from all over the world than the Spring International festival.

Come join us and enjoy tasty food, great music, amazing performances, crafts and cultural displays. Throughout the event there will be live entertainment performances.

If you take pleasure in learning about new cultures come join us and take in as many cultures as you have never imagined. Travel the world without airport hassles or major expenses. It will be lots of fun.

For more information, call the I-House front desk at (865) 974-4453.

ELI Potluck

On Thursday evening, September 30, ELI had a “potluck” dinner. For readers who are unfamiliar with the term “potluck,” this refers to a party with food that is supplied by party guests.  I don’t know the origin of this term, but I can guess that it comes from the idea of people bringing pots of food to a party or event, and the final menu or choice depends on luck.

So one of the exciting things about a potluck dinner is that success of the event depends on luck – or, in the case of the ELI party, success depends on that cooking skills of students who prepare or purchase dishes to bring to the party.

So we were very luck at last night’s party. It was a sumptuous feast! The dishes had their origins from around the world, and I can guarantee that better food could not be found in the finest restaurant. Our ELI students prepared some fantastic dishes. Thanks to all of you!

I was particularly impressed with the pride and skill of ELI students who did the cooking! Where did these students learn to prepare such delicious dishes? I was also surprised at the great food  prepared by the ELI faculty and staff!

A final word to ELI students: If someday you happen to prepare some dishes in your dorm or apartment, and if there happen to be leftovers, feel free to bring them to my office any time!

Jim Hamrick

Welcome Shanghai University students!

ELI warmly welcomes 40 undergraduate students and 2 staff members to our summer Language and Culture Program for Shanghai University Undergraduates. For 2 weeks, Shanghai University undergraduate students will study and experience American culture and the English language with 4 teachers, Greg Bock, Suzanne Meyer, Todd Steed, and Joan Holladay, as well as with other staff members.

This week, our Shanghai students participated in many exciting activities such as watching a Smokies baseball game, whitewater rafting, visiting Cade’s Cove and the Museum of Appalachia, and watching Independence Day fireworks on the 4th of July.

Click here to see more pictures of this summer’s group of Shanghai University students enjoying and learning about American culture.

Shanghai students enjoying some ice cream!

Trip to Cove Lake State Park and Norris Dam

On June 18th, ELI students and staff took a break from studying to enjoy a great summer day at Cove Lake State Park and Norris Dam near Caryville, about 35 miles Northwest of Knoxville. Students had fun playing volleyball, soccer, swimming, and enjoying a nice day at the lake on rowboats and pedal boats. We also ate some delicious hot dogs and sandwiches. Afterward, we took a short stop at Norris Dam. If you would like to see pictures of our exciting trip, click here!

Cove Lake

Spring II 2010 Outstanding Students

ELI faculty and staff are proud to present awards to our best students. These students have been recommended by 3 or more teachers for this award. They have excelled in their work and participation:

Binh Bui Ngoc
Mirna Bzeih
Kai Chieh Chen
Xing Ru Yang

Congratulations to these hard-working students!

Mostafa Rahbar announces retirement

Mostafa Rahbar has announced his retirement from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, effective June 1.

He has served as an instructor at the English Language Institute (ELI) since 1981.

In addition to his teaching, testing, and administrative duties at ELI, he coordinated Persian language testing for the Department of Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures. Rahbar holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from UTK.

Before joining ELI, he taught English in Iran, and he served as a producer and director for National Iranian Radio and Television.

He has taught thousands of ELI students over the years.

If you would like to share a comment about your experience with Mr. Rahbar, or if you wish to send him a greeting on the occasion of his retirement, you may do so at mrahbar@utk.edu.

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.