Updated Monday, 1/11/2021

We’ve got one week left to Sign up HERE for our upcoming 6-week virtual series called "COVID-19 & Education: Teaching ESL in the Virtual Classroom." There are only 15 spots left, so Don't miss it!

Sign up HERE for our upcoming 6-week virtual series called "COVID-19 & Education: Teaching ESL in the Virtual Classroom." The application goes live from Jan. 4-15th. Don't miss it!

For the new year, we're going through a relaunch campaign to support the people we so dearly care for during such unprecedented times.

In 2021 we're focusing on two goals:

1) teacher resource support

2) professional development

READ OUR 2018 REPORT

FROM THE DREAMER’S OWN WORDS:

“AFTER listening to the information of previous Dreamers, we were so excited to have the chance to go to Murray State University. We had heard of how good the professors were, how big the campus was and how Winslow seemed to be everybody’s favorite place. Our journey to Murray began on January 14, 2018. For some, it was their first time traveling or in a cold climate and seeing snow. Right when we left Nashville airport, we experienced a drastic climate change. We arrived at the university at night. We were tired but excited to finally be at Murray State University where we would live for the next two months. We were scheduled to start orientation the next day but due to the heavy snow, we had the first week off. During this time, we got to explore a little bit of the campus.”

ACADEMIC LIFE:

BEFORE officially starting ESL classes, we took the entrance TOEFL test. We were put into levels depending on our TOEFL scores.

English classes at Woods Hall were extraordinary. Our exciting day started at 9:00 am and finished around 2:30 pm. We had a variety of classes including: Grammar which was theoretical and practical; Error analysis that made us think carefully; Listening which helped us understand different accents in English; Oral skills that improved our fluency; Reading in which we gained much vocabulary; TOEFL which was a preparation for the exit exam; and Writing that allowed us to practice grammar. All of these subjects were given by wonderful instructors.

Our teachers were passionate and caring. They incorporated diverse games and activities within their lessons so we got to learn in an interesting and fun way. They also made sure we understood the lessons, and if we had any doubt, we were always welcomed to visit their offices.

Technology also played a great part of our classes. All classrooms were equipped with screens, projectors, and speakers, and the teachers brought their personal computers. This way we had a more interactive class and the teaching process was fast and simple. Besides in-class devices, we could connect through Canvas, an online platform every enrolled student had. The teachers uploaded assignments on it, so we had the opportunity to submit them online. We could maintain an online conversation with the teachers, and also send files to our classmates. In addition, we could keep track of our grades, our assistance, and even schedule our own studying time. Canvas was an extremely useful platform during our ESL classes.

The last day of class we took the exit TOEFL test. The objective of this test was to prove our progress during the ESL program. Our academic life was great. We learned many things and we feel that our English improved because we were in an English-speaking environment.