International students taking part in Flinders University’s new English Language Support Program (ELSP) have praised its impact at an event to celebrate their success on campus.

More than 50 international students were at the University’s Health Sciences Building for the celebration, which included the presentation of achievement certificates to students who completed all four modules during the previous semester.

Student Learning Centre and ISSU staff were in attendance, alongside Professor Nancy Cromar (Pro Vice-Chancellor International), who jointly sponsors the program with Professor Andrew Parkin (Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic).

Professor Cromar presented the students with their certificates.

Phuc Huu Le (Anthony), who participated in the program last semester, said it had helped him and other students whose main language is not English to communicate better with their fellow students.

“ELSP helped us use English more confidently,” said Mr Le. “It also offered us knowledge and skills to study well at university.

“I attended four modules so far, and am looking forward to participating in another one.

“I would highly recommend the ELSP to my fellow international students.”

Since the beginning of 2015, the Student Learning Centre (SLC) has provided the ELSP, which is a dedicated English language support for non-English speaking background (NESB).

The program involves the delivery of a range of proactive strategies to support international and domestic NESB students in managing their English language requirements.

This includes a series of free academic English language modules, the option for NESB students to access up to five extended consultations per semester to assist with the English language requirements of their course-based work, and English language conversation classes.

Listening and Discussion for University, Reading Academic Texts, Grammar and Academic Vocabulary, and Academic Writing modules have all been offered.

More than 120 students registered for at least one module this semester, with 22 students registering for all four.

NESB students can become involved in the ELSP by being referred to the program through the SLC Learning Lounge in the Central Library or by a referral from Faculty-based academic staff.

For more information, please email slc@flinders.edu.au