L.E.A.P. is more than just classroom instruction. The
Center
for International Programs and the L.E.A.P. Program offer optional
activities throughout the semester. The Center for International
Programs offers the following programs to help students develop
their English abilities and learn about the surrounding culture:
Guest Speaker Program
This program brings guest speakers from the surrounding community
and from different departments on campus to talk about topics that
have a direct impact on the international students. Guest speaker
presentations might include a session devoted to campus organizations
and activities; a session on study skills, time management and test
anxiety; a session on etiquette; a session on university grading
policies and course registration procedures; a session on culture
shock or a session on West Virginia culture and history.
English Conversations Partners Program
This program offers students one-on-one contact with other students
at Marshall University for whom English is their first language.
The program will match students in the L.E.A.P. Program with American
students. Partners meet once a week to speak English and learn about
each other's cultures and countries. Partners may just sit and talk.
Other have lunch or meet for coffee. It is up to the partners to
decide what they want to do.
Homestay/Host Family Program
A host family/homestay program is currently being offered to all
international students, including students studying in the L.E.A.P.
Program. This program seeks interested families to host international
students for short visits and social activities, as well as to invite
students to live with them for longer periods of time. This program
not only serves to enhance the study abroad experience of our students,
but also helps to foster a cross-cultural awareness in our community.
If you are interested in visiting an American family over the holiday
or living with a family for an extended period of time, you will
need to complete a homestay application which is available in the
Center for International Programs.
International Table
This event brings international students at Marshall University
together with people from the surrounding community. Anyone is welcome.
The purpose of this event is to offer internationally-minded people
an opportunity to share cultures and languages. The table is held
several times each semester on Friday evenings at a restaurant/pub
near the campus. L.E.A.P. students will be informed about the event
by email and announcements made in class.
Elementary and Secondary School Visitation Program
This program allows international students, including students
in the L.E.A.P. program, to visit an elementary, middle school or
high school and to share their culture with the children, many of
who have never had any contact with a person from another country.
The international students in turn gain practice in English conversation
and learn about American youth culture. L.E.A.P. students who are
interested in visiting classes at elementary schools, middle schools
and high school to give oral presentation about their country and
culture, should contact the Director of the L.E.A.P. Program.
College Lecture Visitation Program
This program gives L.E.A.P. students the opportunity to visit undergraduate
and graduate classes on campus. Students select classes from the
schedule of undergraduate and graduate courses that are related
to their desired field of study. With the permission of the related
department, L.E.A.P. students may visit college lectures during
the second half of the semester. Students participating in this
program are required to take notes during the first thirty minutes
of the class and record their observations for use in the L.E.A.P.
classroom. This program is offered to all students enrolled in Level
109 of the L.E.A.P. Program.
