Duy Nguyen (Vietnam)

Spring 2009 Final Ceremony Student Speaker

Hello Everyone,

            I’m so proud to be here today to share my experience of studying English at The English Language Institute of the University of Texas at Arlington.

            I have been here for 3 semesters from January last year. In my opinion, the Intensive English Program is just a wonderful program that I have attended. Comparing with the first day I joined the ELI, my English skills have rapidly increased. From a student who could not write a correct sentence, now I’m able to write a research paper confidently. From a student who had trouble in listening and speaking in English, I’m now can communicate freely and express my ideas effectively. I would not stand here to say my appreciation to the ELI if I did not choose to be a student of this program.

            Many of my friends, who had studied English at the ELI for one or two semesters and transferred to other schools, came back to me in the mid of next semester and said that UTA’s Intensive English Program is the best around here. They said that skill-oriented classes are the best way to help them learn English more easily.

            Learners play the main role in their studying, but I would not be able to get used to using English without my teachers’ help. At this moment, I want to give my thankfulness to the program for the wonderful syllabi and sophisticated teaching method. Especially, I appreciate all my teachers, who always teach me with all of their responsibilities and with all of their hearts.

            I want to say thanks to Julie for all of your excellent guidance. You have made our classes exciting with educational but productive games. You are not only my teacher in classes, but also the one who helped me to adapt to the environment here.

            I appreciate Richard, my Grammar and Writing level 6, for all of the times you gave my papers back full of comments. I love to read your comments on my papers since they are really telling me where my strengths and weaknesses are. Being a student in your class, I feel that my writing skills have been lifted to higher level.

            I acknowledge that learning new language would take time but the most important thing is learners should study responsibly and repeatedly. I still remember the notion that no question is a stupid question. Therefore, I always ask questions when I’m unclear with what the teachers taught or look for answers from my teachers even if they do not relate to the current lessons. And I know that all teachers here would love to answer my questions.

            What a right decision I have made to participate in the Intensive English Program of the University of Texas at Arlington. If anyone asks me where the exciting, suitable, and effective English training program is, I won’t hesitate to tell them it is right here, the the Intensive English Program of the University of Texas at Arlington.

            Thank you!