Anna Ryu
Anna Ryu found out about the OCC ESL program from a former student – her father. Anna’s
family came to the United States from Korea. While Anna attended high school for two
years, her father attended classes at OCC to improve his communication skills. In
2005, when Anna was ready to go to college she took the MTELP test. Her score placed
her in the highest level of ESL, and required her to take one semester of ESL before
beginning her studies. Disappointed at first, she now says that without those classes
she knows she would have had a much harder time beginning her studies for a Liberal
Arts associate degree. She is now almost ready to graduate and is looking to transfer
credits to Eastern Michigan University to pursue a teaching degree.
"I thought that being in the States for two years was enough to learn English, but
now that I am done with the ESL program and am in regular classes I cannot imagine
how I could’ve taken any other classes without taking ESL first. Those classes completely
prepared me," she says. She credits the academic counselors and student advisor Elise
Roman with helping her personally succeed. "The counselors are the most giving people,
ready to help; And Ms. Roman is like a mother figure to all international students.
She helps students out with everything including immigration status. She attends students’
family event and becomes part of their lives."
The ESL program has also given Anna some teaching experience as she is now working
as a supplementary instructor in the very first course she took at OCC – an ESL writing
class. Her experience with the OCC ESL program has also led Anna to bring five friends
to enroll in OCC. She tells them, “ESL at OCC is so organized and well-developed –
if you want to be successful in your career, you’ve got to come to OCC!"
Enise Kizilaslan
Enise Kizilaslan was a math teacher in her native country of Turkey. By taking ESL
classes at OCC she hopes to pass the TOEFL exam and continue the career she loves
in America.
She looked at other schools for ESL, but chose OCC because of the professional level
of offerings.
"I could tell there was a level of quality at OCC,” she says. “And it has proven true
– you do not waste your time at OCC. You definitely learn how to read and write if
you are taking a reading and writing class, and you definitely learn how to pronounce
words if you take a pronunciation class. The college is very serious about teaching
you English."
Enise’s goal is to apply to a master’s program in education and mathematics at Eastern
Michigan University and teach math once again. OCC is helping her reach that goal.
"I recommend OCC to all ESL students who want a great academic English experience
and do not want to waste their time. OCC-ESL has very much helped me in reaching my
goals."
Sammy Basaran
Having lived and studied in Turkey, Canada and London, Sammy Basaran knew his OCC
ESL pronunciation teachers would have a challenge. But what he found was that they
were more than willing to help.
"I was a Turkish native who spoke French with a London accent – I was a mess. But
the OCC instructors were very wonderful, they didn’t give up. Also, the ASE lab was
incredible, always willing to give students like me individual attention."
Every class he took at OCC was intense, he says, but the sense of accomplishment he
feels is tremendous.
"I took ESL courses in Canada and it can’t compare with OCC. The work is hard but
there is so much encouragement and they really make sure you are ready for the next
level. It’s very hard for people who leave their country because they have no support
systems, but you have to take steps and interact and you’ll find the support. The
OCC environment for ESL students is very family-like. I take pride in being an OCC
student."
Pierluigi Erbaggio
For one former OCC ESL student a return trip to his native country this summer was
not just a visit, it was a job.
Pierluigi Erbaggio returned to the city of Torre del Greco, Italy as a teacher in
a summer program offered by Wayne State University. It was just two years ago that
Pierluigi came to the United States. Not speaking English, and not knowing much about
the US college system, he relied on his girlfriend’s parents’ advice to start at OCC
because of the location and affordable tuition. He excelled in the ESL classes and
after just six months transferred to Wayne State to complete a Master’s Degree in
Italian. Since starting his studies at Wayne, he has worked part time as an instructor
of Italian at the university. He credits his success with his start at OCC.
"The teachers I had at OCC are incredible individuals," he said. "OCC also permitted
me to work part-time in the bookstore and I found it very important at that point
in my life. I was coming from Italy with no English skills and it seemed to me I was
suddenly living the 'American dream'. I strongly recommend OCC to other ESL students."
Pierluigi continues to teach part time at WSU and plans to pursue a Doctorate.