Featured Student Profiles
Adirek - Field: Horticulture - Country: Thailand
Chia-chen - Field: Government - Country: Taiwan
Bingsi - Field: Cell Biology in BMCB - Country: China
Kwang Taik - Field: ECE - Country: Korea
Adirek
Country: Thailand Field: Horticulture
Profile of research area: Alteration of cell wall metabolism by chilling temperatures, using tomato fruit as a model system.
I studied English in Thailand and at Cornell my usage of English is completely different especially in regards to pronunciation and conversation. I had to start right off using English a lot in my lab. When I came here it was hard for me to understand and for others to understand me. I realized I used English in the Thai style. In Thailand we are taught completely different intonation and pronunciation.
The ITA program helped me a lot by helping me to know how to improve my English. The program also gave me the resources so I could improve my English. Additionally, my classmates gave me feedback from one semester to another and eventually they also said that I had improved.
I continue to work on my English with American friends and by watching movies and listening to news radio. The most effective thing for your English I think you can do at Cornell is have American friends. Make sure you take the time to practice listening and working on your English whether it is using the radio and TV or speaking to colleagues. I still have a language partner. It is another graduate student who is studying about Thailand but I sought him out and I continue to make the time to work on my language.
Chia-chen
Country: Taiwan Major: Government
Profile of research area: Research studies in political reform and policy implementation, especially in the role of foreign direct investment, and its impact on political institutional change of central-local dynamics and interactions between citizens and governments.
I studied English when I was in Taiwan. I also went to supplementary school to enhance my English. The school screened you and put you in classes where you worked on general speaking and in my mind the quality of the class really depended on your classmates. We did have social events where we met people who spoke English as their first language but that was really conversational English.
I also got my MA degree in Taiwan and we read a lot in English but we still used Chinese to debate what we read. I think my writing skills are better than my speaking since we had to pass exams. I also think my generation has been taught to put more emphasis on correcting our vowels in English but we did not concentrate on the correct use of consonants. When I came here people couldn't understand me and when I came to the ITADP I found out that some of that had to do with my consonants.
I have taken several courses at Cornell to further develop my English. I had taken writing classes in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) prior to being in the ITADP program. The ITADP is a lot different than my other experiences in learning English. The ITADP does a great job of helping you to correct your pronunciation. It is intensive and takes work. The audio journal assignments are really good for correcting your pronunciation. I felt that the most valuable part of the program was the time spent outside of class on the audio journal and the feedback that you received on it in conference.
I think compared with other students I have more opportunities to speak in English at Cornell. I think that and my field has urged me to do more. I don't know what others have experienced so maybe that isn't fair to say but I have found that hanging out with American friends is useful. They are too kind and won't generally correct you but the ITADP class gives you the correction.
Another aspect of the ITADP program I felt was valuable was my undergraduate language partner. I got the opportunity to get to know about undergraduate life, speak English and my partner corrected my English.
I still continue to value the audio journal. I also try to work on my listening and vocabulary building using National Public Radio and the scripts online. I have observed that informal settings with my colleagues can result in faster language that is still sometimes hard to follow.
My advice to those entering the ITADP is to work seriously on your audio journal. Practice your pronunciation and intonation. Speak English every day, I figured out that if I didn't have a class I wouldn't speak English and that doesn't help. Listen to the radio or the websites and read the scripts. I find that this is better than TV for me. Also know that when you TA you will get to speak English and that will be a good practice environment.
Bingsi
Country: China
Major: Cell Biology in BMCB
Profile of research area: Investigate how intrinsic asymmetries are established during early embryogenesis by using C. elegans as a model system.
When it comes to learning English, I think I got a pretty normal Chinese experience. I started basic English in 5th grade and I took English in my mid years and high school for about 6 years. I also continued to work on my English in college for one and half years and took the TOEFL and the GRE before I came here.
I liked the English language because it opened a window to the diverse western culture, but I wasn't that fluent and my listening wasn't good since I wasn't in an English-speaking environment. I discovered when I arrived here at Cornell that when people around me spoke fast or used idioms I got lost. Generally when I was communicating with others they could understand me but I couldn't communicate in a fluent way and I misused words. However, I still tried my best to listen, to imitate and to express myself regardless of that.
The ITADP gave me access to English speaking people who focused on people from other countries and what they needed to fix. I could always practice in class with specific training on a specific problem. These were things you could never figure out by yourself about pronunciation, idioms and how to put your English together.
The specificity of this program is very helpful. Every student gets individual help.
I think about the ITADP very positively. English is a language we have to use at Cornell and it isn't a burden to work on your English. You will really enjoy it when you are fluent. Our mother tongue is easier but avoiding English is not the best way.
Since I left the program I have carried on with self monitoring my English and I still have a language partner who corrects me. I find that watching TV and movies are helpful. I watch the show once, then watch it a second time with subtitles and then I can use the vocabulary and phrases to continue to build my fluency.
I'm glad that I've successfully passed the initial language shock period. Now I'm still working on my English everyday to improve it. I believe it will pay off in my career and personal life.
My advice to other students coming here to study is to reach out and have fun with the people here at Cornell. When you can use English better it makes life more fun. When you go to your classes or a party or a gathering you can understand and participate. Don't restrict yourself to one community.
Kwang Taik
Country Korea
Field: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Profile of research area: Information Theory and Wireless Communications
I have studied English since I was ten years old but most of my education was focused on reading not speaking and listening or writing. I was really frustrated by my lack of practice in speaking when I first came to Cornell. For example, when I took a class a colleague asked me to discuss a question with them and I couldn't discuss it logically. I couldn't just transmit my ideas to them in English. I had to use body language and write equations.
I didn't have enough English to communicate and I also needed the courage to speak. The most important thing for me to realize was what problems I had to work on in my English. Before I came to Cornell I didn't think I had a problem. You may have to experience it to realize it yourself. When I entered the ITADP I realized what I had to do. I had spoken with other people at Cornell before and eventually they understood me but I always had to use body language or writing something out. I knew this wouldn't work for me as a TA or PhD student.
In my first semester with the ITADP I wasn't sure if the EDU 578 class was that helpful. I learned some teaching techniques but I didn't feel I had improved my English, I thought taking a second class wouldn't help my English. At the time I had an assignment called audio journal and I was supposed to distribute my time and do it every day. I didn't follow the instructions and did it all the day before it was due. The instructor and I talked and I realized I wasn't improving. I realized what I was doing wasn't that helpful. The best thing about the ITADP program for me was I noticed my problems. I realized that to practice English everyday is very helpful. I had heard that but it wasn't easy to do since I had courses and research and other things to do. However, since then I decided to practice every day.
I feel that the ITADP program is a good idea. I think students who take it learn to speak professional English, be a good TA and the program gave me lots of things I appreciate. I really appreciate the learning.
As a teaching assistant (TA) when I have to teach a class I prepare for it for two to three hours and practice what I will do at least once. This helps me a lot as a TA and speaking English in the classroom has helped my English to improve.
My advice to those coming to Cornell is to take English class before you get here if you can. Realize what issues you have before you come. Practice English every day for at least 10-15 minutes.
I am still working on self-monitoring my English and I still practice for thirty minutes a day. I am also involved in a group that meets once a week and only speaks English.