The ELC Hosts MITESOL Conference
The English Language Center hosted the 2013 conference for Michigan TESOL, the professional organization
for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages.
This year’s theme was “Realizing Transitions: Common
Core, College, Career.” The annual conference was held
on October 4 & 5 in the Kellogg Hotel and Conference
Center on MSU’s campus. Carmela Gillette and Andrew
McCullough acted as Local Chairs for MSU, and together
they ensured a successful conference attended by more
than 500 teachers and educators from all over Michigan.
Eleven faculty members represented Michigan State University in seven presentations during the conference.
ELC faculty Elizabeth Webster, Carmela Romano Gillette,
Stacy Sabraw, and Carlee Salas presented the initial results of their research study in a presentation entitled Developing a University Needs Analysis: Determining What
Students Need. They described how they developed and
implemented their multi-semester needs assessment project which involved data collection (surveys and interviews
with MSU instructors and former ELC students) as well as
preliminary results. Their research is one of the very few
being done on Intensive English Programs, and their pre-
English Language Center
Wells Hall
619 Red Cedar Road B230
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
sentation was met with much curiosity and enthusiasm. The complete results of their research
will be presented at the 2014 International TESOL Conference in Portland, Oregon.
~Kim Benedicto
English Teachers by Day, Rock Stars by Night
In your classes and in the corridors of Wells Hall, they seem normal, just like
any of your other ELC teachers. They take attendance. They lead discussions.
They give homework. Lots and lots of homework! But behind their mask of
professionalism, five ELC instructors share a dark secret: deep down, they are
really rock stars. (Or at least they think they are!)
Mark Cunningham, Larry Zwier, Matthew Rynbrandt, Collin Blair, and Austin
Kaufmann all bring very different musical tastes to their band, Gerund and
the Infinitives. As a result, at one of
their concerts you might hear anything
from an old country tune (“Move It on
Over” by Hank Williams) to a 1960s rock
and roll classic (“Come Together” by
The Beatles), to a traditional bluegrass
fiddle song (“Whiskey before Breakfast”), or to modern rock (“Seven Nation Army” by the White Stripes). However, they’re not just a cover band. They
also write and perform some of their
own songs. Another unusual quirk of
this band is that it doesn’t feature a single front man. Instead, they share the
spotlight, each member singing lead on
a few tunes.
Find them on Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/GerundandtheInfinitives
English Language Center
Fall 2013
The ELC GLOB
The ELC Hosts Homecoming Tailgate
by Laura Ballard
Once every fall, schools and universities around the U.S. invite their alumni back to their campuses for a special time of
reconnection and celebration of school spirit. This event is known as “homecoming.” During homecoming, the focal point
of festivities is the school’s football game, which is usually the most well-attended game of the year. Alumni and fans from
the community gather together on campus before the big game and have a pre-game party, known as a “tailgate.” At these
tailgate parties, fans dress in school colors, bring lots of food, and enjoy each other’s company by playing games and cheering for their football team. In celebration of Michigan State’s 2013 Homecoming football game, the ELC hosted a tailgate
party for ELC students, instructors, and families. It was a beautiful, sunny fall day that was perfect for outdoor games and
snacks. Students enjoyed tasting special Michigan fall treats such as apple cider, glazed donuts, and pumpkin muffins.
Aside from the different sports enjoyed at the tailgate event, there were also athletic competitions like sack races and a
frisbee toss. Students’ listening and trivia skills were also tested with an “Unusual Facts” game lead by an instructor. The
winners of these competitions were rewarded with Spartan swag, like MSU t-shirts and hats. Marina Ueno, one of our
ELC students, commented about her experience at the event, “I have been interested in tailgate parties since I came to the
United States, but until now, I didn’t have a chance to join one, so the ELC tailgate party made this dream come true.” All
in all, this was a fun-filled day for international students to participate in an American collegiate tradition and show their
Spartan spirit!