The Importance of Effective Support Networks for Intensive English Program Students

• In Event: Out of context: The significance of schooling environments and cultural values for education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the challenges of developing and maintaining an effective support network of Intensive English Program (IEP) student populations in the context of a monocultural IEP and approaches that might assist these students in better integrating into their local environments. International students generally leave their existing support networks of friends and family back home. This study included a mixed methods approach, including a focus group and student surveys, to better understand IEP student challenges, support networks, and needs of support. The findings of this research revealed that common challenges among English Language Center (ELC) students are increasing their standardized English scores as well as feelings of homesickness. In response to these challenges, ELC students receive support from their family and friends back home, co-national support as well as multinational support. Besides program faculty and staff, ELC students tended to have difficulty finding language support from host nationals. Effective support networks, based on views, are those that have support that encourage or facilitate their original study abroad goals. This research study revealed the need of IEP students to connect with host nationals for language support, through the practice of their English language skills, became a theme revealed from both methods of research. Research on the support of connecting IEP students and native English speakers was beyond the scope of this research and would be of great benefit to the IEP students, especially the dominant population students that are arriving in great numbers.

Author

• Timothy Dinan, Drexel University