Loyola University Chicago

English Language Learning Program

Loyola’s ESL program

Students' perspective

Ewa

 
Why did you choose to study in Loyola's English Language Learning Program (ELLP)?
I've choosen Loyola's ELLP to improve my English. With knowledge of English language, I have more possibilities. I can get a better job or contact with other foreign people.
 
How do you want to use your English skills in the future?
I would like to use English skills in daily conversation and in my job. It's an anternational language, so it's good to know this language.
 
What can you tell us about your experiences of ELLP so far? What do you like the most about the program and being at Loyola?
I love Loyola's ELLP. I'm only 3 months in this program and I see a huge progress. I like to spend time with my classmates, and I like my teachers very much.
 
Whould you recommend this program to others? If you said, "Yes" why do you recommend it?
Yes, I would recommend this program to others because this program is very intensive and after a short time you can see a huge progress. The atmosphere on campus is amazing and there is a lot of additional activities where you can meet fantastic people from all over the world.

Juan

Why did you choose to study in Loyola’s English Language Learning Program (ELLP)?
I chose Loyola´s English Language Learning Program (ELLP) because when I looked for English studies well evaluated by people who has learned that language, I saw that Loyola University Chicago was highly recommended by people from far away countries —China, Saudi Arabia— where learning English is very important. Therefore, I thought that Loyola University was the best option to achieve my goal of significantly improving my English level. Now, I know that studying English at Loyola University Chicago was a very good decision.
 
How do you want to use your English skills in the future?
I will use my now better reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in English in my work as a Lawyer in Mexico, where I will be able to offer legal services to foreign companies established in Mexico.
 
What can you tell us about your experience at ELLP so far? What do you like the most about the program and being at Loyola?
So far, I can say that the ELLP´s teachers are dedicated, responsible, dynamic, professional, and at the same time enjoyable, and that these characteristics facilitate the learning of English. I like the most about ELLP is the dynamism and the completely useful contents of the program for daily life, but also for academic and work performance. I like the most about being at Loyola is the vibrant academic life that is perceived throughout the Loyola University.
 
Would you recommend this program to others? If you said “yes,” why do you recommend it?
I am pleased to recommend ELLP because in just three months I have seen my own improvement in the English language and the improvement of the English of my dear classmates, now friends.

Jado

Why did you choose to study in Loyola's English Language Learning Program (ELLP)?
I chose to study in Loyola English Language Learning Program because the Quinlan School of Business offered me a conditional admission. This implies that I must first undergo the English program before starting the graduate program.
 
How do you want to use your English skills in the future?
I intend to use my English skills in the future to express myself more effectively and to be able to engage with people more efficiently.
 
What can you tell us about your experiences of ELLP so far? What do you like the most about the program and being at Loyola?
I enjoyed the methodology of teaching that ELLP instructors use. The classes are very engaging which helps me to actively participate in them not only individually but in a group. Being at Loyola is fascinating. This is largely due to the rich programs that Loyola offers to students especially for international students. For example, Global Mentorship Program, Global Engagement Program, English Club and Chai and Chat. These programs, I believe, are mean to bring different people from different countries together to enrich the diversity at Loyola.
 
Whould you recommend this program to others? If you said, "Yes" why do you recommend it?
Certaintly, I would recommend this program to anyone who wishes to undergo this program, because it doesn't focuse only on academics but create room for students to explore other aspects of life. For instance, get to know other culturs from other countries other than our own.

Aigerim

Aigerim Amangeldieva
 
My name is Aigerim Amangeldieva, and I am an international student in Loyola’s ELLP program.
I am attending this program to help me get in a Ph.D program. If I will have good English skills, it will help me find a good job in my country and publish articles in English language.
I've had a good experience in ELLP. The program has very professional teachers, and they know all their responsibilities. I've made many international friends, and they're really friendly. Loyola University is very good university, located in very beautiful place and wonderful city. I love ELLP. And, of course, I will recommend attending the ESL Loyola program.

Student Story: "Language Is No Barrier"

 
Experience of international students at Loyola volunteering and improving their English skills in the process.
 
By Anna Gaynor
It’s Monday night, and one floor above the corner of Wilson and Broadway in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, a group of students is waiting for instructions.
These seven from Loyola’s English Language Learning Program (ELLP) have come to volunteer at Inspiration Corporation, which provides services and free meals to the homeless and poverty stricken in Chicago.
At Inspiration Corporation’s café, the students prepare food and serve patrons as part of an ELLP service-learning initiative. One of the students, Alexandra Stanziola, has volunteered before with Operation Smile and FANLYC, a group that helps children with cancer and leukemia. And yet, her first time in a soup kitchen came last spring.
“I’m from Panama, so in my country we don’t have this type of thing—that people help other people giving them food,” the 18-year-old said. “For me, it was the first time I saw something like that. So yes, I like it. It’s awesome.”
The Jesuit influence
Since 2014, Loyola’s ELLP program has been incorporating a community outreach component to its classes. Once a semester, students volunteer at soup kitchens, such as A Just Harvest and St. Thomas of Canterbury, or in the gardens on Loyola’s Lake Shore Campus.
“At Loyola, one of the pillars of a Jesuit education is service to others and community interaction, so they have an opportunity to experience a different side of Chicago that maybe they hadn’t been aware of before,” Fehr said.
In addition to helping others, this outreach program lets students put their language skills to work. They need to interact with patrons and follow directions from the kitchen’s employees and regular volunteers. Fehr often sees students go back as often as five times a semester—or decide to start volunteering on their own.
“It was a great experience to do something outside of the curriculum,” said 18-year-old Meret Charyyev after volunteering at the café. “I enjoyed it a lot and learned how to talk to people and how to serve them being a waiter.”
From Turkmenistan, Charyyev finished high school in Connecticut before coming to Chicago. Like Stanziola, he also volunteered before arriving on campus, including raising donations for those in Haiti.
A personal experience
The ELLP program’s roughly 140 international students receive help with speaking, listening, writing, and reading comprehension. To tie in their volunteering experience, their instructors incorporate it into class discussions and coursework.
Students in a beginner-level class might write a short reflection describing what they did at the soup kitchen. In a more advanced class, students may read an article and write a three-page report on topics such as poverty, homelessness, mental illness, or addiction. Stanziola wrote about the children and families she has helped.
“I always work with kids because the thing I want to specialize in is child psychology,” Stanziola said. “So when I first came here, for my first essay I wrote about the soup kitchen and how good it is to help not only kids but be part of something that can help other people.”
Like others in the ELLP program, Stanziola and Charyyev will attend Loyola next semester as degree-seeking students. Stanziola plans to study psychology; Charyyev wants to major in business.
While both say the program has been a meaningful experience, Fehr sees it as a way to also help students break out of their comfort zones.
“You can do great on a standardized test, but that’s not the same as an academic program where you’re going to be required to talk to people, work in groups, work with people who are different from you, who may have different backgrounds. These volunteer experiences prepare them for that—or whatever they go on to do.”

Ahmed

"My goal is to get a bachelor's degree in computer science from Loyola University Chicago. I chose ESL program to help me achieve this goal. I definitely recommend this program as I feel that teachers' support and the strength of program's curriculum have helped me to improve my English skills a lot!"

Ali's opinion

“Loyola is one of the best universities in one of the biggest cities in America. The ESL classes were focused on academic skills so it was a great preparation for undergraduate courses.”
Why did you choose to study in Loyola’s English Language Learning Program (ELLP)?
I chose to study ELLP in Loyola because I heard it has a strong program and the teachers are very good.
 
How do you want to use your English skills in the future?
I want to use my English when I travel, to get a job and use it as my second language.
 
What can you tell us about your experience at ELLP so far? What do you like the most about the program and being at Loyola?
My experience at ELLP is very good so far. I feel I'll improve my English and will speak more frequently after I finish the program. I like that there is a lot of events I can involve in and practise my English, I can make friends easily and the campus is very beautiful.
 
Would you recommend this program to others? If you said “yes,” why do you recommend it?
Yes, I'd recommend it because you'll learn English in academic program. This will prepare you to many things and will improve your English in personal way.