English Language Centre makes history

There is one phrase that the 2,500 students who attended programs at UVic's English Language Centre (ELC) in 2010 will never forget: "Happy Anniversary!"

This 40-year milestone makes UVic's ELC—which is part of the Division of Continuing Studies—one of the oldest English language schools in Canada. It first offered English programs to French-Canadian bursary students in 1970, soon followed by specialized programs for Japanese university groups. Forty years later, the ELC still receives over 100 French Canadian and 500 Japanese students a year, along with students from 30 other countries around the world.

"We really wanted to make this year special for everyone at the ELC," says Christina Gambrell, ELC marketing manager. "Students, teachers, alumni, community partners—we wanted them to feel celebrated, because they've all played a huge role in our success." Scholarships, contests, student parties and an Anniversary Open House in October have all been part of this year's festivities.

To date, six ELC students have received 40th Anniversary Scholarships for achieving the highest grades in the ELC's University Admission Preparation program. These $500 prizes are for students going on to undergraduate and graduate degree programs at UVic; the final scholarship recipients will be announced in early December.

And then there have been the parties. "In a typical year, ELC staff plans about 575 socio-cultural activities for our students, so this year it was a treat to be planning events that were for us too," says Don Mellings, socio-cultural coordinator for short-term programs. Food, fun and friendship were key ingredients for the two largest anniversary events: a summer student barbecue in August for 600, followed by the ELC's first Open House, at its home in the Continuing Studies Building in October. Open House guests enjoyed the cultural classroom displays where students from 10 countries were doing everything from playing traditional instruments to giving language lessons.

The ELC has plenty to celebrate going into 2011: record-breaking student numbers, a leading role in hosting international visitors to major education and recruitment conferences scheduled in Vancouver, and another anniversary milestone as the ELC's award-winning homestay program celebrates 25 years of placing international students with local families.

Kyla Jardin is international marketing coordinator at the English Language Centre.