English language program to host open house, Tuesday
Lamar University will host its first Pathway Program Open House, 10 a.m.to noon, Tuesday, in 106-A Montagne Center.
âIt used to be TIEP, Texas Intensive English Program, and most people are familiar with that,â Cynthia McCartney, Pathway Program director, said. âWhen that program ended, this program took its place, and we are just wanting to have an open house so that people can visit, come by and see what we have here.â
The Pathway Program is designed to aide students with an English language barrier.
âWe work with the students, mainly international, that have kind of a language hold on English and we provide instruction to help them,â McCartney said. âThe courses are specifically designed to help bring them up to the English proficiency level that they need to succeed at the university.â
The open house will offer information about the program.
âItâs more for information because this program is relatively new,â McCartney said. âWe want to ensure people are aware of it. They need to know what we have and what we offer here.â
Assistant director Alex Monceaux said he hopes for a good turnout.
Students in the program will leave with an improved grasp on the English language, Monceaux said.
âWe offer classes to get their skills up so they can be successful,â Monceaux said. âOnce you leave the program, we expect you are able to perform linguistically on an academic level equivalent to an American student.â
 Students can sign up for the program during the open house.
âThey could sign up for a course when they come in and show interest,â Monceaux said. âWe could say, âOK, we have these courses available.â They could then be registered, but the courses wouldnât start until after spring break. Itâs a big process but you could definitely start that process.â
Light refreshments will be served.
For more information, visit www.lamar.edu/events, or call 880-7511.
Story by Tiana Johnson, UP contributor