The English Language Center (ELC) gives all students in IVC’s language programs the opportunity to work with professors and supplemental instructors in a focused environment dedicated to their language.

The ELC gives me the opportunity to work one-on-one with students in a capacity rarely available in the classroom. The ability to tutor to the direct needs of each student allows me to dig in deep with students to specific problem areas and help them discover their own strengths and weaknesses.

Many of my own students have found they prefer to get help from me in the ELC rather than during office hours as it allows them the time to work through their projects on their own time without pressure and then to get direct feedback from me when it suits them. I have students that come in regularly to pursue their own homework or writing assignments knowing that they have a safe place to work and make mistakes.

Learning to limit my involvement has been one of the biggest challenges for me in the ELC. As a teacher, it is very tempting to try to help students through every error in their writing. Over time I have found that the best way to help them is to step back and let them figure things out for themselves. The ELC has given me the best training grounds to let students become autonomous learners.