St. Bernard implements ESL Camp

Two international students from China are getting a jump start on American culture in preparation for the upcoming school year.  Kedi Mo and Travis Cai are currently enrolled in this Summer’s newly-created ESL camp at St. Bernard Prep School in Cullman.  The camp is a two-week program designed with a focus on improving English skills in speaking, listening, writing, reading and analysis.

Br. Linus Klucsarits, OSB, who teaches ESL at St. Bernard said this is the start-up of what he hopes to see continue to grow and become more popular with other nationalities around the world. 

Kedi and Travis are from China and are proficient in speaking the English language.   Their culture has prepared them well for studies in the United States as both prepare to study in the U.S.

Getting settled in was a smooth process as students found their home and got their banking completed and cell phones working.  “The people at Wells Fargo and AT&T were very patient and kind in helping students get their accounts activated in Cullman,” Br. Linus continued.

American culture is a focus of the language process.  “The students and I have enjoyed becoming familiar with the Southeast through documentaries, books and travel,” Br. Linus said. 

Student studies have included trips to the Helen Keller Museum, Space and Rocket Center, the Civil Rights Center, as well as a trip to Atlanta to watch a Braves game, explore the world of Coca Cola, and visit the Georgia Aquarium.

 

To conclude their final weeks, St. Bernard has partnered with the NASA Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL for the students to attend Space Camp.

“This has been a great experience for all of us,” Br. Linus continued.   “We are hoping to grow next year by adding more diversity to the camp.  It works best if they can process in their own language and then go back to work through it in English. 

St. Bernard Prep School is a private co-educational boarding and day school for students in grades 7-12.  For more information visit www.stbernardprep.com or like their page at www.facebook.com/stbernardprep.