Studying, studying, studying...

Attending ELC is a very intense experience. I have a lot of homework to do, and I swear that I never studied like this before. I would like to say something about the ELC and how the course works.

Before the classes start, I took an evaluating test to check my English level. It is a computer test and includes listening and speaking, reading and writing activities. It is a hard test, and I felt that I was not so good, but I was surprised for the result.

The ELC has two different programs: Foundations an Academic, both with three levels, A, B, and C. There are two other preparation levels: Pre Foundations and Pre Academic. I supposed, based on my assumed performance that I should be assigned for Foundations B or C but I was surprised when they assigned me to Academic A! I was surprised and concerned. Surprised, for I had no idea that my English proficiency was so good. And concerned, because I knew that it would be a hard course, with a lot o work to do. I would be a great challenge.

At the first week I was interviewed, and ELC assigned me a class based on that interview. After this, we had orientation and welcome activities. One of these activities involved a photo hunting tour through the campus. The new students were organized in groups and we received a printed sheet with photos of different parts of the campus, and we had been required to look for these places and take photos of them. We walked a lot, but we knew better BYU.

ELC students came from different parts of the world. The largest group came from Mexico, followed by Brazilians. There are students from Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Italy, and even Russia. However, ELC encourages us speaking English all the time.

ELC (and United States in general) gives great value to homework. In fact, half of ours grades come from homework. Teachers check homework each day. It looks like Elementary, but at the end it is good to motivate us. Academic A has four classes: Writing, Listening and Speaking, Reading, and Linguistic Accuracy. Classes are from 8:15 AM to 2:40 PM, and include a break from 11:40 AM to 12:15 PM.

The United States school year has four semesters: spring, summer, fall, and winter. The deadline for winter closed last September 27. However, You can apply for summer, who starts in may, until December 1^st. If you intent to apply for summer, I recommend you start now. You can get more information at http://elc.byu.edu.

I worth paying the price!