Word TravELS Issue 05 - August 2016

August 2016

ELS Newsletter, Issue 05

Professors from Shanghai completed their APPEMI studies at the English Language School, Faculty of Extension.

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Contents

English Language School Executive Director’s Message August 2016

ELS Classes: A look inside an ELS classroom

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Dear readers: Every four years, we are treated to an international spectacle as the world's greatest athletes gather to showcase their incredible skills and talents.

However, I am reminded that the Olympic Games can be enjoyed and appreciated as more than simply athletic

Homestay: An interview with one of ELS’ Homestay families

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competition. For one, The Olympics always offer the

ELS Events: IDP Sports Day at Kinsmen Park

opportunity to learn about a fascinating location and the rich cultures of the local people. The Olympics also provide a wonderful example of the peace and harmony that the

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world's countries can achieve when we come together with a common purpose.

Whether or not we are athletes, we can also take away many valuable lessons from the Olympics. The splendid athletes we see in competition may be talented, but their accomplishments are also the result of thousands of hours

ELS Student Corner: Sitting down with students to look back on the summer

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of training and focus. Indeed, as second language learners,

@ualbertaels on Instagram: a photo montage of ELS

we have this in common with great athletes: we must train, focus, and exercise to be our very best.

In this edition of Word TravELS, you will see some of our

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students, staff members, and teachers "at their best". With the Fall season and a new academic term just ahead, I invite you to do what it takes to be at your best! And, always remember, like coaches to athletes, we will always be there to support you.

Have a wonderful term!

Sincerely,

Mimi Hui Executive Director English Language School

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Faculty Social: Welcoming our ELCS groups

10 Final Words: Upcoming events, Top Ten column, and more

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ELS By The Numbers ELS Courses Gearing Up for the Fall Session With the September semester starting, the IDP teachers

met to strategize and prepare before the fast-paced semester began.

Thank you to our dedicated teachers!

Fundamentals of Graduate Writing The English Language School offered graduate students in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry an opportunity to polish their writing skills. The course was held on North Campus in August and was offered to Masters and PhD students in Medicine.

A selfie of Justine Light (EAP instructor) and her students

From Great Minds: Student Video Jing Yang’s ESL 120 class shared a video that they made for their fellow classmates. You can look into the life of Jing’s ESL 120 class here.

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ELS Homestay Homestay

student studying with ELS with one of these host families as an alternative to staying in student residence or other

By Tracey Hilden, Social Media Coordinator, ELS

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housing options. Both the host family and student have a

ngrid Zukiwski has hosted 56 students from 11 different countries over the course of 15 years. She, along

with her husband John, have opened their doors to students from Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Brazil, China, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Libya, Thailand, Mongolia, and Taiwan.

Ingrid and John are one of the English Language School’s many host families that participate in the Homestay program. Homestay Program Coordinator Trudy Stevens works tirelessly in selecting approximately 400 host fami-

My goal is to make a positive difference in the students’ lives.

We’re all humans on this planet Earth. Once you get past all the learned behaviour and cultural or religious differences, we’re really

lies from Edmonton who are interested in having a cross-

all the same.

cultural exchange. The program places an international

Ingrid Zukiwski, ELS Homestay host, has welcomed over 50 students from around the world to her home—and stays in touch with all of them.

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ELS Events unique learning experience and often develop bonds that last a lifetime.

As a retired teacher, Ingrid enjoys learning about the different cultures that the students bring to her household.

She has learned to cook many different kinds of food, reflected in the Zukiwskis’ regular family dinner. Ingrid sees dinnertime as an opportunity to spend time togeth-

IDP Sports Day IDP students enjoyed a day in Kinsmen Park, partaking in activities including soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, Capture the Flag, and many more. We had 100% participation from all students and teachers! Thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy the day, and congratulations to Blair Gnida’s ESL 135 class who won first place.

er as a family, providing a space for the students to practice their English.

Ingrid ensures that the students enjoy their stay in Canada. She plans a picnic in the park with another Homestay host family, hosts Thanksgiving dinner, throws birthday parties, and celebrates Halloween and Christmas. Eager to be inclusive of all students, Ingrid researched into other religions to create an atmosphere of respect and understanding for different beliefs and practices. “We call our house ‘The Study House’,” Ingrid says. “Both my husband and I love to read, and we have a good space for students to read and study as well.”

“We always keep in touch with the students that stay with us,” Ingrid says. She flips through a large binder that she compiled with photos of every student that stayed with her family. Ingrid and John have formed bonds of friendship which even recently led them to South Korea to attend a student’s wedding. The family also often has students who return to Edmonton just to visit them.

“My goal is to make a positive difference in the students’ lives. We’re all humans on this planet Earth. Once you get past all the learned behaviour and cultural or religious differences, we’re really all the same.”

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ELS Student Corner Summertime in Edmonton

By Tracey Hilden, Social Media Coordinator, ELS

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ummer is a colourful and vibrant time in Edmonton.

Anastasiia Muzyka - Ukraine

This summer, the world was united at the Olympic

“I was very nervous at first here in Edmonton, but now I

Games. Closer to home, Edmonton hosted festivals almost every week with days that are long and sunny and people milling about in Churchill Square, Hawrelak Park,

really like it. I have made close friends, and was very sad when my classmates from Japan left to go back home.

It was nice to see so many activities in

and Whyte Avenue. This semester, the English Language

Edmonton in the summer. I enjoyed

School had students representing 34 different coun-

Heritage Days—I went to the pavilions

tries—what were their thoughts on the past few months?

for China, South Korea, and Azerbaijan. The Ukrainian tent was too busy

Jeong Yun Choi - South Korea

to visit, plus I wanted to try something

“I spent my summer watching the Olympics! I enjoy

new! There aren’t many festivals in Ukraine, but I think

watching the Olympics because I can feel the energy

the people there would really enjoy them.

from the athletes. I like to exercise, so I can get more tips and learn from the athletes’ self-confidence. It is nice to have all the countries together—it is a good chance to share cul-

I also visited Jasper and Banff. My family lives here, so together we got to see such amazing views. We had never seen mountains and lakes like that before! Next time, I will try canoeing.”

ture and make a more colourful Olympics, and you can also cheer for each other.

I also went to Heritage Days, which is the best festival. I didn’t expect to see so many different countries there. It was nice to see how many people like my country!”

Miho Takahashi - Japan Kyoka Someya - Japan “We really enjoyed the Fringe for all the handmade accessories—they had so many cute things to purchase! We

Ilaria Scalcione - Italy “This summer, I went camping almost every weekend— near Banff, Lake Louise, and Lake O’Hara. My aunt and uncle live here in Edmonton, so it was nice to travel with them and my brother. I also went to the Fringe Festival and watched three indoor shows. We have festivals in Italy, but they are different from the ones here in Edmonton. There is a very famous festival known as Carnevale Ambrosiano in Milano every February. “

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have festivals in Japan as well, but they generally last 2-3 days. The Fringe, however, lasts for 10 days, which gives you even more time to go out and enjoy the activities.

We were also proud to see our country compete in the Olympics—we won a total of 41 medals, including 12 gold medals. We did very well in wrestling, judo, and swimming. It is nice to see all the countries come together to compete.”

Mabintou Ouattara - Ivory Coast

Daisuke Idonuma - Japan

“Sports are the most enjoyable activities for the Ivorians;

“I have been in Edmonton for four months now, and the

thus, having skilled athletes is a priority for us. This year,

people here are very kind! I recently lost my wallet, and

new competitions and many opportunities arose with

someone turned it in to ETS customer

excitement in our national sporting

service. Thank you to that person!

career: The Olympics.

Everyone has been very helpful.

Unlike previous years, many Ivorians

I volunteered at the Japanese Festival

were present in competition, with the

here in Edmonton. I helped set up tents

goal of coming back with the gold.

and enjoyed the atmosphere. There was a lot of delicious

Even our female athletes were just as

Japanese food there!”

motivated as the men. In fact, the running competition is one of the most valuable for us. We are proud of the

Montserrat Lopez Cardenas - Mexico

Ivorian athletes and really hope they will bring us the

“I’ve been in Edmonton for 4 months. I find the public

gold in the next competition.“

transit and other services very useful here, and it`s really great during the summer—we can join in these many festivals and learn more

Zujana Marra Romero Medina - Venezuela

about the culture and activities that

Luis Jose Reye Mendez - Venezuela

Edmonton has to offer. I enjoyed

Gracielo Delgado - Venezuela

Heritage Days most of all, because the

“We loved to see how our country was presented to the

performances were very interesting. We

world at the Latin Festival, which we all went to togeth-

have festivals in Mexico City too, but the festivals are really well organized here!”

er. We loved being able to eat such foods as empanadas, hallacas, and cachapa. We loved visiting all the other countries’ tents and sampling their foods as well, but most enjoyed the performance from the Venezuelan tent. They had foods from Columbia, Peru, and Mexico that reminded us of dishes from back home. We also enjoyed the performances of the Brazilian Samba dancers; their costumes were very colourful and performance was energetic.

We also really enjoyed going to KDays - we do not have anything similar in Venezuela so it was our first experience like this.”

Edna Araujo - Brazil “I presented on the Olympics this past semester. Despite many setbacks, the Olympics brought a lot of good things to my country. For example, it really improved the infrastructure of Rio de Janeiro, as well as public transportation and houses and other buildings. It also brought many jobs to the Brazilian people.

I think tourists found the people to be hospitable and friendly, as the events really brought the people out!”

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@ualber Instag

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rtaels on gram

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Faculty Social The English Language School hosted a Faculty Social to welcome the many cohorts in our School. It is an evening of dinner, socialization, and dancing for our ELCS groups at the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald. Thank you to all the dignitaries and students who attended! The evening was filled with welcome, encouragement, photos, and fun.

Dr. Katy Campbell

Dr. Nat Kav

Dean of Extension

Vice-Provost (Programs)

University of Alberta

University of Alberta

Mr. Rod Loyola

Ms. Julie Desrochers

Edmonton-Ellerslie MLA

Manager Policy, Strategic Planning & Grants Alberta Advanced Education

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Final Words Upcoming Events

Top Ten...

August 31 - September 9: UAlberta Week of Welcome

...surprising and interesting facts about the 2016 Rio

September 1: First day of IDP classes

Olympics:

September 5: Labour Day - No classes #10 2,488 Olympic medals were awarded to athletes topping the podium in Rio: 812 gold, 812 silver and 864 bronze.3

September 6: First day of EAP classes September 19: ELCS Faculty Social September 23: UAlberta Green and Gold Day

#9 The Olympic torch relay included 12, 000 Olympic torchbearers. The torch passed through all 26

October 10: Thanksgiving - No classes

Brazilian states and reached 90% of the Brazilian

October 20: Last day of IDP classes

population.3

October 25: Last day of EAP classes

#8 The Rio transport network now has a host of

October 31: Halloween

improved or new facilities including an additional metro line, new roads, an enhanced rail network and modernised international airport.2 #7 36 years separated the youngest U.S. Olympian -table tennis player Kanak Jha, 16 -- and the oldest U.S. Olympian, equestrian Phillip Dutton, 52.3 #6 The handball venue will be converted into four schools after the Games.2 #5 206 countries sent athletes to compete in Rio.3 #4 Approximately 50,000 volunteers for the Games were selected from 240,000 applicants, helping to develop a stronger culture of volunteerism in Brazil (50% of all Brazilian candidates were 25 years old or younger).

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ave a photo or story to share? Please contact Tracey Hilden, Social Media Coordinator (ELS).

Email: hilden@ualberta.ca

#3 Rio 2016 was the first time in Olympic history that a

Phone: 780-492-4906

South American country has hosted the Games.1

Room 1-004, Enterprise Square

#2 Rio 2016 was the first ever edition of the Olympic Games to include a Refugee Olympic Team.2 #1 Golf returned to the Olympics after a 112-year absence.1

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tay connected! Find us here:

facebook.com/UAlbertaELS/ twitter.com/UAlbertaELS The Top Ten facts were compiled from Olympic facts found on: 1 http://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/rio-2016-16-fun-facts-about-year-solympics-n510311 2 https://www.olympic.org/news/a-few-things-you-might-not-know-about-rio-2016 3 http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/27/world/16-facts-rio-2016-olympic-games/ Accessed on September 8, 2016.

instagram.com/ualbertaels/

o r d T r a v E L S | 11 Remember:W UAlbertaELS!