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Christina Smith

Laughter, smiles and chatter fill the air of Ambassador Hall on Tuesday nights, as Korean and American students spend time getting to know each other.

The Center for English as a Second Language has been a part of the University since 1964. Joy Carter, the program's secretary, said the center is important in recruiting international students to the University.

The conversation table is a way for international students to make friends with American students and for students from different cultures to learn from each other in a group setting, which prevents the burden of carrying on a conversation from falling on one person, Carter said. The conversation table is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday.

April Robinson, a graduate student from Lincoln, Neb. studying English as a second language, started the Tuesday night conversation table a year ago. Robinson is a teaching assistant for the center and knew a lot of international students who were wanting to practice speaking English, so she decided that starting a conversation table would allow international students to practice their English and make new friends.

Students who want to volunteer as a conversation partner at the conversational table can get help carrying on the conversation from other students. They can also have fun, eat and participate in group activities, Carter said.

The Center for English as a Second Language also provides its students with conversational partners, who are American students who volunteer to meet individually once a week, for at least an hour at a time. Conversation partners help international students improve their English conversational skills and allow them to make American friends because they don't know anyone when they first get here, Carter said.

"It is not always easy to find the number of volunteers for the number of students who request a conversational partner," Carter said.

Bekah Bishop, a junior from Carbondale studying elementary education, has been a conversation partner for a year and encourages other students to volunteer as a conversation partner. Bishop said that it is a good way to learn about other cultures, languages and really get to know international students.

Emily Fielder, a junior from Rockford studying Dietetics and Nutrition, has been a conversation partner for two years. Fielder said having international friends helps to gain a deeper understanding of the world and is also fun.

"I recently got back from visiting my conversational partner in Japan last month and it was such a wonderful experience to have friends from all over the world," Fielder said.

The program's classes are non-credit classes that focus on building a student's English skills, such as reading, writing, speaking and listening. Other classes teach grammar, pronunciation, tutoring support and presentation skills. During the fall and spring semesters, Center for English as a Second language classes run in two eight-week sessions. The summer session classes meet for two six-week terms.

"There are language requirements for international students to enter universities and some people take our courses to fulfill those requirements," Carter said.

The program provides a variety of services for students, such as giving students the forms they need to apply for a student visa, housing, transportation to local airports and orientation.

The program also provides advisors and tutors, Internet access, student health insurance and a pass for the recreation center. Students are given a packet with information about campus services and the Carbondale area when they first arrive.

"CESL is a gift to the University and brings the world to the SIU classroom, while expanding student's knowledge and experience, " Director Marilyn Rivers said.

Reporter Christina Smith can be reached at christina_smith@dailyegyptian.com.