AEC Newsl ineTheStudentNewsletteroftheAppliedEnglishCenterattheUniversityofKansas

Edited bySandra Tompson

ExperienceanAmericanTraditionwithanAmericanFamily:

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The program is free, except for travel costs and personal spend-ing money. If you would like to participate, you can spend the whole Thanksgiving break from Tuesday night until Sunday afternoon with the fam-ily, or just join them on Thursday for a Thanksgiving dinner and celebration. Any student can apply for the program, but the first chance will be given to new students and students who have not participated in the program yet.

To get an application or more information about the program, go to the ISSS Office (2 Strong Hall). Applications need to be returned to the office no later than Monday, November 3rd. Hurry and sign up early to better your chances of being matched with a family. If there are more students than families, not everyone will be able to participate.

If you have any question please contact Carol Dias da Silva by phone at 864-3617, or by email at carol@ku.edu.

What’s inside?

Calendar--What’sUp(p.2)

IntramuralSports

(p.2)

AECAutumn“Funsti-val”(p.2)

AECFinalProficiencyExam(p.3)

StatementofPolicyTowardCheatingintheAEC(p.3)

FeaturedConversationGroup:ThePresenta-tionGroup(p.4)Counselors’Corner(p.5)

MeetYourFellowStudents(p.6)

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Every year the Office of International Student and Scholar Services sponsors the Betty Grimwood Thanksgiving Homestay Program to give international students a chance to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with an American family.

This year, Thanksgiving break is from Tuesday evening, No-vember 25 through Sunday, November 30. Thanksgiving Day is on Thursday, November 27. It is always the last Thurs-day in November. It is a holiday filled with traditional food like roasted tur-key, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. It is also a time for relaxing around the house, playing games, watching football on television, and talk-ing together. For some families, it is the time to start decorating and shopping for Christmas, Hannukkah, or Kwanzaa.

The Thanksgiving Homestay Program is a great opportunity for you to learn more about American culture and the American way of life, and also for you to share your own cul-ture with an American family.

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TheBettyGrimwoodThanksgivingHomestayProgram

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Intramural Sports

Enjoy playing sports? KU Recreation Services sponsors intramurals throughout the year. (“Intramural” means that teams from the same school play against each other.) You still have time to put together a basketball team for the Pre-holiday Basketball Intramurals. Just fi nd your players, choose a manager, and make sure the manager attends the Managers’ Meeting on November 16 at 6:00 p.m. in rooms 202/203 of the new Student Recreation and Fitness Center.

If you would like to be a referee, you need to attend the Offi cials’ Meeting on November 16 at 6:45 p.m. in rooms 202/203 of the new Student Recreation and Fitness Center. Basketball play begins

December 1.

You also have a few days left to sign up for Eight Ball Pool Intramurals. Sign up at the Student Recreation and

Fitness Center Welcome Center begins on October 27 and closes on October 30. Play begins November 14.

There is a small fee for both team and individual intramurals.

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13. End of Semester Recep-tion at the Kansas Union from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

26-28. Thanksgiving Break. No classes. (AEC Offi ce open 11/26)

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31. Halloween - AEC “Fun-stival” from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the ECM Building.

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4. Last day LEO open until Spring 2004.

5. Last day of AEC classes.

6. Final Profi ciency Exam 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

11. Last day of KU classes.

15. Final results available 1:30 p.m.

AECAutumn“Funstival”The AEC Autumn “Funstival” (“FUN” + “Festival” = “FUNSTI-VAL”) is a great way to spend Hallowe’en evening. AEC students and their families are welcome. It’s Friday, October 31 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the ECM Building. There will be games and activities up-stairs for children over 4 years old, and games and activities for adults downstairs.Sign up at the AEC front desk by Thursday, October 30 if you want to come. When you sign up, you will get a packet of “AEC Bucks.” You will need

these “bucks” to play the games. You (and your children) can wear Hallowe’en costumes if you want to.

Afterwards, if you want to party more, you can get a bus from the Kansas Union to the Inter-national Student Association party at the Last Call (729 New Hampshire Street in downtown Lawrence). The International Student Association party lasts from 9:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Statement of Policy Toward Cheating in The Applied

English CenterTESTINGThe AEC Final Profi ciency Exam is on Saturday, December 6 at 9:00 a.m. You will get a letter from your teacher telling you what room and what time you should report for the test. Please remember to bring your KUID, two pencils, and an eraser with you. The fi nal profi ciency test is a formal part of your course work in the AEC. As you know, your test scores affect the fi nal grades you will receive in your AEC courses. You may also want to bring a pencil sharp en er and a sweater or jacket with you. If you think you will be hungry, you can bring a snack, such as a candy bar or fruit, to eat during the break. (Eating is not al lowed in the test rooms.) We want to remind you of the rules of good behavior when taking any university test: • You should work quietly and not bother students around you. • You should keep your eyes on your own desk. • Don’t give the proc tors reason to suspect you of cheating.The university gives proctors the right to dismiss any student who bothers other students in the room or who is suspected of cheating. Don’t let this happen to you.

Do you know how to be successful on the test? Do something relaxing the evening before the test and get a good night’s sleep. Don’t stay up late studying. Plan to get up early enough to eat break fast. Try to relax and keep a positive attitude during the test. Good luck!

RESULTSWhen will results of the test be ready? The Final Pro fi cien cy Exam scores, fall class grades, and course rec om men da tions for the spring se mes ter will be available at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, December 15. You should pick up your exam results on Monday, December 15 at 1:30 p.m. It is important that you pick up your test results at that time in case there are any problems with your test scores. If you are leaving town before December 15, come to the AEC offi ce and speak with Doris Gasper. When you pick up the scores on December 15, you may make an ap point ment to see a counselor on:• Monday, December 15, from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. or• Tuesday, December 16, 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m, and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Counseling appointments begin again Tuesday, January 20, 2004.

WHERE DO I TAKE THE PROFICIENCY TEST? Your AEC teacher will give you a letter telling you where you will take the exam. If you have any questions about the exam, please come to the AEC and talk with Doris Gasper.

STUDENTS WHO MUST BE ABSENT THE DAY OF THE PROFICIENCY EXAM The fi nal profi ciency test is a formal part of your course work in the AEC. Without fi nal profi ciency test scores, you may not continue to study at the AEC or KU. You must take the test on Saturday, December 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., unless you can document unavoidable circumstances. Please be aware of this date when you make travel plans. If you cannot get to the test due to circumstances beyond your control, it is your responsibility to contact the offi ce as soon as possible to make special arrangements. Ask to speak with Doris Gasper.

The AEC Final Profi ciency Exam

The Applied English Center, like all other parts of the Uni ver si ty of Kan sas, does not tolerate cheating. Students caught cheating can be dis missed from the uni ver si ty.

One form of cheating is pla gia riz ing. If you use someone else’s words or ideas and pretend that they are your own, you are guilty of pla gia riz ing. If you are caught pla gia riz ing, you will receive an F on the as sign ment. In addition, you may receive an F in the entire course or even be dismissed from the uni ver si ty.

Another form of cheating is get ting answers from someone during the test. Because of the seriousness of the charge of cheating, it is im por tant that you not ap-pear to be cheat ing when you are not. For ex am ple, during a test or quiz, be sure to keep your eyes on your own pa per, never talk to another student, and don’t leave open books or ex posed papers where you can see them except when your teacher says, “You may use your books during this test.” If you finish your test early, don’t look at other students’ papers; keep your eyes on your pa per. You can fill the extra time by checking your an swers to be sure that you made no mistakes.

Another form of cheating is show ing a false identification card or passport or tak-ing a test for an oth er student. This is a very serious offense at the Uni ver si ty of Kansas. The punishment for all people in volved in this of fense is possible dismissal from the uni ver si ty or pos si ble crim i nal pros e cu tion under the laws of the United States gov- ern ment. Do not change any iden ti fi ca tion card or use false iden ti fi ca tion. Do not take a test using someone else’s name or iden- ti fi ca tion card or passport.

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ThePresentationGroupEach issue of the Newsline will feature a different conversation group. You’ll get to hear from the conversation leader and some of the group members about what they do in their conversation group. If a group sounds interesting to you, join it! In this issue, you’ll read a description of the Presentation Group written by the Presentation Group leader and founder, Serena Huang.

By Serena Huang

I started the Presentation Group a couple of semesters ago for the purpose of helping students with their presentation skills. As a student at KU, I know that lots of professors require presentations in class and how crucial one’s presentation skills are. I also know

that lots of students, especially non-native English speakers, struggle with speaking in front of a group of people. I thought a presentation group would be a great opportunity for the AEC students to improve their public speaking skills. I wanted to help them and make them feel more comfortable giving presentations in class. The group creates a more “friendly” or less intimidating environment. It is much easier to practice in a small group than to present in a big class. Honestly, it has been such a rewarding experience. I often

have students come to me and say, “My teacher told me that my

presentation was good. Thank you for your help.”

I send out topics for the next week every Sunday night so that the students may prepare beforehand if they wish. The students have choices of three topics each week, but if they wish to attend the group more than once a week, they have to talk about different topics each time. I have designed a “Progress Chart” for the benefits of the students. It is a chart that I, or the other leader, write comments on when the students do their presentations. The chart has three columns: date, what they did well, and what they can improve for next time. The students can look over the chart after the group session and work on the imperfections. Over

time, they can see how they have improved, and in what areas they are particularly strong or weak. This is my third semester leading the Presentation Group, and I hope to continue helping the students whenever possible.

What the Presentation Group members say:

Foad Haeri from Iran says, “It’s helpful because it makes me confident to speak more and more and describe and explain my ideas and my opinions, and I can talk about my problems and generally I improve my abilities in English.”

Sargis Manukyan from Armenia says, “Here I can speak more English because there are only 5 people. The group leader is very nice, and offers very interesting topics. The time passes very rapidly and it is exciting.”

Hsiao-Chen Yu from Taiwan says, “I learn a lot from the AEC conversation group because it is a good place to know a lot of people from different countries.”

To join a conversation group, you can ask for information at the AEC front desk and in LEO or check out our web page: www.aec.ku.edu/allabout/

conversation.html.

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Foad Haeri listens as Khawla Almamari discusses her topic.

Presentation Group leader Serena Huang takes notes on a progress chart during a student’s presentation.

Hsiao-Chen Yu and Nelly Tolkacheva listen closely as Serena gives feedback to one of the presenters.

Sargis Manukyan and Hsiao-Chen Yu pay attention to Serena’s comments on how to improve a presentation.

CounselorsʼCorner

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Ask the AEC Counselors

Do you have a question about the AEC that you would like the counselors to answer? Maybe you have a ques-tion about the classes, the testing and placement policies, the grading policies, or the attendance policy. In each issue of the AEC Newsline, the AEC counselors respond to a question that students ask. If you have a ques-tion, please give it to the AEC front desk in 204 Lippincott. Of course, you are always welcome to make an ap-pointment to see a counselor Mon-day through Friday. We are happy to discuss any questions or concerns you have.

Dear Counselors: I’ve been in the U.S. for about two months. My life here is very different from my life at home. At first, all of the differences were fun and exciting. Now, I just feel overwhelmed. How can I begin to make sense of this society? ---A concerned student

Dear Concerned Student:When we go overseas to live and study, we typically experience some kind of change in almost every part of our lives. Robert Kohls is an expert on the acculturation process and has lived and worked in more than 80 countries in all parts of the world. He suggests that when going to a new country, it is important to get yourself oriented to your new surroundings—like the way we get ourselves oriented on a map. In fact, he has even said, “Make sure you know where you are and in which direction (physically and psychologically) you’re pointed” (Kohls, p. 39). What steps can you take to orient yourself to your new surroundings? Here are a few of Dr. Kohls suggestions:

1. Orient yourself beginning at your place of residence. Start at your dorm, your apartment, or your home and work out from there in circles. Ask yourself these questions to help get oriented: a. What shops, stores, services, and offices are in my immediate area? b. Who inhabits the residences nearby: students, young families, the

elderly, etc. c. Do other people from my country live nearby? d. Where are the restaurants located? Are there other places where people gather, like bars, coffee shops, etc.? e. What kinds of transportation are available to me? Where is the bus stop? How often do buses stop there? What are their routes? f. Where are public service buildings like the post office, the police station, and the closest hospital located? (Do you know where these places are both on campus and off?)

2. Begin to learn basic names and phrases. Learn the basic names and phrases that appear on the signs in your environment. Learn the names of foods you like to eat or services that you need to use such as the post office, the dry cleaners, the pharmacy, etc. Learn to read the street signs. Get comfortable with the monetary system so that you can make change and know how much money to give cashiers.

3. Look for the differences. Are things organized differently? For example, what’s the logic or custom behind the naming of the streets? (In downtown Lawrence, streets have U.S. state names like Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, etc. The streets are named in the order that the states were first admitted into the U.S. more than 100 years ago.) Are there different combinations of food or other goods in the stores or markets than you are used to at home? Which goods are displayed more prominently? What does that tell you? Which buildings stand out? How do you get a taxi or pay on a bus? Does it seem like something you really need or want is totally missing here? Maybe a kind of food, an article of clothing, a particular kind of music? Don’t panic. Ask others for assistance. It’s just that you may not yet have learned where to find these products here.

4. Talk to people. This can be difficult, especially at first when you are still working on you English language skills, but give it a try! Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Start with people

you have regular contact with such as your American roommate, your dorm resident assistant, one of your teachers, your conversation leader, etc. Most people are very anxious to tell international visitors about their county and will gladly answer questions.

5. Accept help from others from your country, but . . . . You probably met other students from your country soon after you arrived. Someone may have even picked you up at the airport. Making friends with people from home can be helpful, particularly during the more difficult times of adjustment. Because there are no language or cultural barriers, friends from home can actually provide you with much information quickly.At the same time, it is important to remember that living in another country stirs up complex emotions and responses. Each person’s reactions to a new country are unique. So, it is important not to let you perception of the U. S. be formed too much through the opinions and experiences of others from your country. A helpful rule to

remember: Accept others’ help and friendship, but form you own opinions so that you don’t fall victim to other people’s prejudices and stereotypes. We hope that your time at the Applied English Center and at KU will be happy, productive, and successful. If you find that you are having some trouble getting used to all the changes in your new life here, the AEC counselors would like to invite you to stop by and talk with one of us at 204 Lippincott.

Say“Hi!”toYourFellowStudents

Hello! I am Tien Jen Lee from Taiwan. I like to play basketball, and I like

window shopping. Iʼm active in the Taiwanese Student Association, and Iʼve created the website for this organization.

Taiwan

Mexico Iʼm Rosalba Soto from Mexico.

In my free time I enjoy watching TV with my roommate and friends. On the other hand, I like going to church Sunday mornings and for discussion group on Wednesday evenings.

My name is Osman Moalin Nur. Iʼm Somalian. Somalia is located in East Africa. I am here, in the United States to study. I like to have fun in most of my free time. I like to play basketball, and sometimes soccer.

Somalia

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Iʼm Maged Albilbissi from Saudi Arabia. Iʼm taking two AEC classes. Iʼm working everyday, and I like to play soccer. Iʼm fasting for one month. Weʼre fasting from sunrise to sunset.

Hello! Nice to meet you. Iʼm Yoo Jung Song. I come from Korea. When I first came here, everything was strange and made me scared. Now, Iʼm learning English. If I have some problems, my friends and the AEC counselors always help me. I thank them so I can enjoy this life comfortably. Also I like to search for information on the internet, especially some kind of economic news. Iʼm interested in world economy.

SouthKo

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Iʼm Mijin Jun from South Korea. Iʼm interested in a lot of music, not only Korean music.

SouthKorea

SaudiArabia