Identifying language needs of ESL students in a Canadian university based intensive English language program

This study investigated the needs of adult ESL learners intending to pursue higher education in Canada. Its chief purpose was to enable educators and administrators to design ESL programs that would prepare students to function at optimal levels in academic and social settings during their university studies. The study adopted a mixed research method that was predominantly qualitative in its orientation and narrative in its implementation. It focused on an Intensive English Language Program (IELP) offered at an Ontario university. Using a holistic approach, the study sought to represent the various perspectives of all the participants in the program: the students, the instructors, and the administrators. Analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data gathered from 17 students, 6 instructors, and 1 administrator in the IELP showed that to a large extent the academic needs ofESL learners in the IELP were generally not being met. Most notably, the study found that learners were not receiving sufficient training in speaking and listening skills, a factor that contributed to their sense of insecurity and lack of confidence in their ability to communicate successfully in academic and social settings. The study also revealed that the solutions to many of the problems it identified lay not in the classroom but in the way the ESL program was structured administratively. One major recommendation to come out of the study is that programs like the IELP should be restructured so as to give them greater flexibility in meeting individual needs. While the study labored under certain limitations and did not achieve all of its goals, it did succeed in creating awareness ofthe problems and in establishing a methodological approach that can serve as a framework within which future research may be conducted in this somewhat neglected area.

Architectural model of Pralle-Sodaro Residence Hall, Chapman University, Orange, California

Architectural model of the Pralle-Sodaro Residence Hall, Chapman University, Orange, California, dedicated October 21, 1991. Pralle-Sodaro Hall (3 floors, 75,382 sq.ft.) is a three-story building containing one-hundred-fifty-five units. This state-of-the-art residence hall was made possible by the tremendous generosity of Bob and Helga Pralle and Don and DeeDee Sodaro. Bob Pralle served as a trustee for eighteen years beginning in 1984 and Don Sodaro as Chairman of the board of trustees and has served on the board for fourteen years beginning in 1988. Pralle-Sodaro Hall (3 floors, 75,382 sq.ft.) is a three-story building containing one-hundred-fifty-five units.

Dedication of the Pralle-Sodaro Residence Hall, chapman University, Orange, California

Dedication of the Pralle-Sodaro Residence Hall, 323 East Walnut Avenue, Chapman University, Orange, California, October 21, 1991. At the podium, George L. Argyros, Chairman of the Board of Trustees is speaking to Helga Pralle while President James L. Doti stands directly behind, and Bob Pralle applauds at right. Don and Dee Dee Sodaro are in the back at left. Pralle-Sodaro Hall (3 floors, 75,382 sq.ft.) is a three-story building containing one-hundred-fifty-five units. This state-of-the-art residence hall was made possible by the tremendous generosity of Bob and Helga Pralle and Don and DeeDee Sodaro. Bob Pralle served as a trustee for eighteen years beginning in 1984 and Don Sodaro as Chairman of the board of trustees and has served on the board for fourteen years beginning in 1988. Pralle-Sodaro Hall (3 floors, 75,382 sq.ft.) is a three-story building containing one-hundred-fifty-five units.

Smith Hall, Chapman University, Orange, California

Entrance to Smith Hall, Chapman College, Orange, California. This building was completed in 1913 as the Science Building for Orange Union High School and was acquired by Chapman in 1954. In 1988 it was named in honor of former president G.T. (Buck) Smith and his wife, Joni. Buck Smith served as president of the university from 1977 to 1988. This building (2 floors, basement, 15,263 sq.ft.) houses the Psychology Department and is listed in the National Registry for Historical Buildings.

Smith Hall, Chapman University, Orange, California

Looking south to Smith Hall, Chapman College, Orange, California. This building was completed in 1913 as the Science Building for Orange Union High School and was acquired by Chapman in 1954. In 1988 it was named in honor of former president G.T. (Buck) Smith and his wife, Joni. Buck Smith served as president of the university from 1977 to 1988. This building (2 floors, basement, 15,263 sq.ft.) houses the Psychology Department and is listed in the National Registry for Historical Buildings.

Smith Hall, Chapman University, Orange, California

Looking south to front of Smith Hall, Chapman College, Orange, California. This building was completed in 1913 as the Science Building for Orange Union High School and was acquired by Chapman in 1954. In 1988 it was named in honor of former president G.T. (Buck) Smith and his wife, Joni. Buck Smith served as president of the university from 1977 to 1988. This building (2 floors, basement, 15,263 sq.ft.) houses the Psychology Department and is listed in the National Registry for Historical Buildings.

Smith Hall, Chapman University, Orange, California

Smith Hall, Chapman College, Orange, California, looking southwest. This building was completed in 1913 as the Science Building for Orange Union High School and was acquired by Chapman in 1954. In 1988 it was named in honor of former president G.T. (Buck) Smith and his wife, Joni. Buck Smith served as president of the university from 1977 to 1988. This building (2 floors, basement, 15,263 sq.ft.) houses the Psychology Department and is listed in the National Registry for Historical Buildings.

Smith Hall, Chapman University, Orange, California

View across lawn of Smith Hall, Chapman College, Orange, California. This building was completed in 1913 as the Science Building for Orange Union High School and was acquired by Chapman in 1954. In 1988 it was named in honor of former president G.T. (Buck) Smith and his wife, Joni. Buck Smith served as president of the university from 1977 to 1988. This building (2 floors, basement, 15,263 sq.ft.) houses the Psychology Department and is listed in the National Registry for Historical Buildings.

Bleachers in old Chapman Stadium, Chapman University, Orange, California

Chapman Stadium shortly before demolition, Chapman University, Orange, California, 2005. This stadium was originally constructed in 1934 by Orange Union High School, Orange, California. Ownership transferred to Chapman College in 1954. It was re-named in 2

Chapman Stadium, Chapman University, Orange, California

Chapman Stadium shortly before demolition, Chapman University, Orange, California, 2005. This stadium was originally constructed in 1934 by Orange Union High School, Orange, California. Ownership transferred to Chapman College in 1954. It was re-named in 2000 after the son of the university's namesake, Irvin "Ernie" C. Chapman, who played football at Chapman in the early 1930's. The stadium was torn down in 2005 and fully rebuilt and is now part of the Erin J. Lastinger Athletics Complex at Chapman University.

Chapman Stadium athletics field, Chapman University, Orange, California

Chapman Stadium shortly before demolition, Chapman University, Orange, California, 2005. This stadium was originally constructed in 1934 by Orange Union High School, Orange, California. Ownership transferred to Chapman College in 1954. It was re-named in 2

Bleachers in old Chapman Stadium, Chapman University, Orange, California

Chapman Stadium shortly before demolition, Chapman University, Orange, California, 2005. This stadium was originally constructed in 1934 by Orange Union High School, Orange, California. Ownership transferred to Chapman College in 1954. It was re-named in 2

Old Chapman Stadium, Chapman University, Orange, California

Chapman Stadium shortly before demolition, Chapman University, Orange, California, 2005. This stadium was originally constructed in 1934 by Orange Union High School, Orange, California. Ownership transferred to Chapman College in 1954. It was re-named in 2

Old Chapman Stadium bleachers, Chapman University, Orange, California

Chapman Stadium shortly before demolition, Chapman University, Orange, California, 2005. This stadium was originally constructed in 1934 by Orange Union High School, Orange, California. Ownership transferred to Chapman College in 1954. It was re-named in 2

Old Chapman Stadium, Chapman University, Orange, California

Chapman Stadium shortly before demolition, Chapman University, Orange, California, 2005. This stadium was originally constructed in 1934 by Orange Union High School, Orange, California. Ownership transferred to Chapman College in 1954. It was re-named in 2