Comprehensive Internationalization:
An Institutional Approach to
Cross-Campus Collaboration
Laurie Miller & Kirsten McLagan
George Mason University
English Language Institute
Where Innovation Is Tradition
Contents
• Where are you at?
• Where Mason is at
• Focus on ACCESS to show
institutional, collaborative effort
• Keys to successful comprehensive
internationalization
Where Innovation Is Tradition
Where
Tradition
Where Innovation
Innovation IsIsTradition
Who We Are Dealing With
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Where in the University is the ELI?
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University Life
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Ready, set … Internationalize!
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The Center for International Student Access
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Top Support
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Mason’s CISA
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ACCESS & BRIDGE Programs
• ACCESS = undergraduate, first-year, language
supported classes
• BRIDGE = graduate
– Degree Enhancement Track custom
“fourth year” program for international
students with three year degrees
– English Enrichment Track first-year,
English language support
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English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
Curriculum Development across Departments
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English
ELI
Communications
History
Anthropology
Math
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Language Supported Classes
• Three models
– Team teaching
• ENGH 121-122
– Adjunct teaching
• PROV 103 - COMM
• PROV 104 – HISTORY
– Instructor support
• PROV 106 – American Cultures
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Team Teaching: English 121-122
• First Year Composition Course (ENGH 100)
– Stretched to two semesters
– Language supported
• Co-taught: ENGH & ELI faculty members both present
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Team Teaching: English 121-122
– Curriculum co-developed
• Assessment completed by both
– Designated Writing Center
tutors
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Adjunct Teaching: PROV 103
• Students attend COMM 100, required public speaking
course for all incoming freshmen.
– COMM instructor & ELI instructor both present
• ELI faculty member teaches students
in additional “support” class outside
of COMM 100
– purpose = prepare students for
successful completion of COMM 100;
main focus = oral aspects of English
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Adjunct Teaching: PROV 103
• COMM & ELI faculty members work together so both
have full understanding of curriculum in each course
• Language support instructor = facilitator
– bridge language & content in current academic
classes
• clarification, review, and reinforcement of
concepts
• language issues needed for successfully
performance of speeches
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Instructor Support: PROV 106
• American Cultures
– Taught by anthropology faculty
– Gen Ed course
– Language support target @ faculty member
• “How to make this course accessible to multilingual
international students.”
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Language Assessment
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Entrance
Placement
Midterm
Exit
In-class
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Student Advising
The ELI Matriculation Advisor
What in the world does Kirsten do?
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Matriculation Advisor
• Promote pathways programs to IEP students
• Meet with students to assess eligibility
• Research program application requirements
• Assist with application process
• Request and collect recommendations from IEP
instructors
• Teach EAP elective
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Undergrad Pathway Advising
• Articulate admission requirements
• Assist with app and SAT registration
• Maintain communication with International
Admissions office
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Graduate Advising
• Advise on language requirements
• Assist with researching appropriate program
• If not pathway-friendly, introduce student to IEP
graduate advisor
• Determine relative strength of application, set
realistic expectations
• Network with academic unit admissions teams
and program managers
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EAP Courses Offered at the IEP
• Grammar of Academic Writing
• Transition (Psych, Anthro, Astronomy)
• Math Vocabulary
• Recent collaborative courses:
– Dialog with Americans (S-CAR)
– Business English (various units)
– English through Theater (Theatre)
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for Successful, Comprehensive
Internationalization
• Communication
• Flexible, supportive leadership
– University vision
• Institutional commitment
to student outcomes
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for Successful, Comprehensive
Internationalization
• Celebrate the uniqueness of the
international student
population
• Affirm of the benefits of
multiculturalism
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Contact Information
• Laurie Miller
llmiller@gmu.edu
• Kirsten McLagan
kmclagan@gmu.edu
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