Laurel Reinking

Strengthening the English Communication Proficiency of International Graduate Students and Promoting their American Cultural Awareness

Abstract: Few non-assessment-focused opportunities exist on the Purdue campus for international graduate students desiring to strengthen their English communication proficiency, heighten their American cultural awareness, and build their interactional confidence. Furthermore, in an environment where married couples have little time together, non-enrolled spouses of international graduate students must avail themselves of learning opportunities which their enrolled spouses are unlikely to use, resources such as the Purdue Village ESOL program. Thus, this initiate proposes English-language conversation groups for international graduate students and their spouses who cannot or will not avail themselves of more formal, assessment-focused resources and who might find a congenial, casual, and camaraderie-saturated environment a more conducive one in which to develop as confident speakers at Purdue. Additionally, those students who currently do use available assessment-focused resources but who need more help and support may find a more low-key approach to improving their English and building their interactive skills an approach that also leads to more confidence. Finally, because spouses can both participate in the conversation groups, the overall quality of family life and, thus, international graduate student life at Purdue will be enhanced.