Studies in American Language (iGateway)

                  The International Gateway Program                  
Studies in American Language (iGateway)

By Thaweesak Chooma

San Jose, California

April 2,2013

If you're going to San Francisco

Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair

If you're going to San Francisco

You're gonna meet some gentle people there

For those who come to San Francisco

Summertime will be a love-in there

In the streets of San Francisco

Gentle people with flowers in their hair

...............

            "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)" is a song, written by John Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas, and sung by Scott  McKenzie. It was written and released in June 1967 to promote the Monterey Pop Festival. Due to listen to his song, I missed the bus number 23. I ran after my group getting on the bus one by one, unfortunately I could not run fast enough. I missed it! That morning I was late for a visit to International Gateway of San Jose State University (anyway, it's good reason, isn't it.)

            According to our schedule, at 9.30 a.m., we'd meet Dr.Julie Yang, an Interim Director International Gateways College of International and Extended Studies San Jose State University at the Industrial Studies building,  between 8th and 9th Streets on San Fernando. Our group led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wisa Jattiwat and Asst. Prof. Dr. Thapanee Thammetar reached to the institution a litle bit before time schedule and we received warm welcome by Dr.Julie Yang with her colleages, Marianne Wheeler (Academic Coordinator), Amy Lehman (Associate Director) and Naoko Hall (Academic program Coordinator). After Dr.Julie Yang shown our gruop around the classroom and bulding. They invited us to room 227 to see her institution's presentation.

               

   Dr.Julie Yang started with welcome speech and provided us details on  the International Gateway Program Studies in American Language (iGateway), founded in 1975. It's a part of College of International and Extended Studies Intensive English Language Program served students all over the world with the Regular Programs 680 enrollments per year, representing over 30 countries such as  Saudi Arabia China, South Korea Japan, Taiwan Germany etc. and also Custom Programs 170 enrollments, 7 programs this year .

Programs iGateway Offer

1. Academic and TEST Preparation

·       For students who plan to attend an American university

·       17 weeks or 9 weeks long

·       8 levels

·       20 hours of intensive English language instruction per week, including

            Written Communication Reading Skills Oral Communication Grammar American History Business English Critical Thinking Science and Technology Over 20 elective courses

2. Semester at SJSU

·       For students who wish to take SJSU courses without going through formal admission process

·       Students can take 3-12 undergraduate credits

·       Credits can be transferred back to their home universities

·       Students can take SJSU courses and English language courses concurrently

3. MBA Preparation

·       For students who wish to pursue an MBA or a graduate business degree

·       17 weeks long, January and August intake

·       20 hours of intensive English language instruction per week

·       Focus on GMAT Test Prep. and Academic Skill Preparation

4. Active Communication in English

·       For people who wish to improve international English skills and experience American culture

·       5 weeks long, usually in summer

·       Monday–Thursday Classes, Friday- Field Practice

5. Custom Programs

·       For groups of 15 or more

·       Program for any specific purpose

·       Customized curriculum, length, and activities

5.1 Custom Programs – Teaching English in English

1.      A teacher training program for non-native English teachers

2.      English instruction and methodology

3.      Visits to local schools

4.      Guest speakers and workshops

5.2 Custom Programs – Global Leaders and Cultural Program Prepare students to work in a global environment as future leaders

·       English classes

·       Visits to local universities

·       Visits to Silicon Valley companies

·       Guest speakers and workshops

5.3 Custom Programs – Training Tomorrow’s Leaders

·       Korean ROTC cadets

·       Joint effort with SJSU Air Force ROTC department

·       English classes as well as training with American ROTC officers

Partnerships with foreign University ,Important partnerships with universities in Japan, Korea, Taiwan

·       Meiji University

·       Reitaku University

·       Miyazaki International College

·       Hosei University

·       Keimyung University

·       Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology

(Silapakorn University is going to be the next)

Conditional Admission is offered to

·       High school graduates (never took university courses)

·        Average high school grade is equivalent to GPA 3.0 (or grade “B”) or better

·       3 years of high school mathematics with a grade “C“ or better

·       No TOEFL or IELTS score; OR, test score is below iBT 61 or IELTS 6.0

·       Students receive SJSU conditional admission letter

·       Come to International Gateways to improve English

·       Achieve TOEFL or IELTS score

·       Apply to SJSU and receive final admission

TRANSPORTATION: SJSU students enjoy unlimited rides on Valley Transit  Authority buses and Light Rail.

            After the interesting presentation, Marianne Wheeler (Academic Coordinator) announced the classes we could attend.  We could sit in the classes and observed, participated in teaching and learning activities. We eagerly selected the classes from the list on the broad. Each class could get two observers.  Here are the classes and courses we chose.

Room	Course	Teacher
101	GMAT Critical Reasoning	Ann
102	TOEFL Reading 2	Laura lo
103	TOEFL Reading 1	Ben
104	TOEFL Listening	Paul
106	American Muvies	Libby
107	Grammar Worshop i	Laura
108	American Movies 2	Justin
109	Critical Thinking (Advanced Core Course)	Cristin

            We joined the classes till lunch time. It was very kind of the director  that  provided us an delicious lunch before we left.    

            On Monday, April 8 Marianne sent us a schedule for sitting in several classes, for example; time: 8:30-10:204  Written Communication class with Rick, 10:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. Oral Communication with Sara, 1:00-2:50 p.m. Written Communication with Paul, Written Communication with Jo (subbing for Dairea, Written Communication with Chris and Oral Communication with Sara We continue to sit in the interested classes. We attended the 10:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Oral class by Giffy.  Bus and Yui attended Written Communication with Paul.

 In the summary, the International Gateways College of International and Extended Studies San Jose State University was a very interesting institution. The atmosphere of the institution encouraged students to involve in learning activities and to improve students’ language. I realized that the experience of teacher, language laboratory and comfortable classroom were very importance. A positive atmosphere can make a classroom a more pleasant place to be and, in turn, a more effective, motivating place to learn. It's simple to do, and it can have positive results on the achievement of students. In addition; a chair here was very exciting. it's really comfortable and modern style. I hope the chair will be available in our university very soon.     

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