MSU English Language Center - ELC

The ELC hosted Sorari Narimatsu, our first student from Kumamoto University, for a 3 week program in March. Sorari made the most of her time at MSU, studying in the Intensive English Program, exploring the community and making lots of friends. We'll miss you Sorari!

Koichiro Uto joined the ELC for a special program during SS26. Upon his return home, his story was featured on the Kyushu Sangyo University website due to his participation in Challenge Month with a short-term study abroad in the US. You can read his story in Japanese at

https://en.www.kyusan-u.ac.jp/news/ksu_0319

We provide a paraphrased translation below.

Michigan State University attracts many students from all over the world, and he participated in this program because he wanted to deepen his understanding of different cultures as well as improve his English skills by interacting with students who have diverse values in such an environment. In the program, he engaged in language learning through discussions and group work. In class, there were many opportunities for him to actively express his opinions, which he found difficult at first, but gradually he became more confident in communicating in English. In addition, there was an opportunity for him to interact with local students who are learning Japanese through JELE (Japanese English Language Exchange) twice a week, which was a valuable chance to discuss each other’s languages and cultures. Through various exchange activities, such as watching university sports, he was able to interact with people from diverse backgrounds, and he feels that his perspective broadened greatly, as he learned not only the importance of taking initiative and respecting different cultures, but also the value of proactive engagement. In the future, he would like to use the international perspective and communication skills he gained from this experience to continue growing while collaborating with people from various countries and cultures.

Congratulations on this honor, Koichiro! You are missed at MSU.

Another Puzzle Completed

The ELC students, staff, and faculty have completed yet another puzzle. “Paired Leaves” came from a local area gallery in Williamston called the Loewen Gallery and the puzzle celebrates the work of Pamela Loewen and her impressive quilts. The colors and patterns were very fun to work with.

This semester we’ve completed five puzzles already with many more to go. We’re currently working on another bird-themed puzzle with 1000 pieces, and we’ve started an impossible puzzle that hasn’t really been that impossible. Stop by and help us complete more puzzles!

The ELC was so happy to have a visit from Emma Ina early this week. Emma is a Nagoya City University student who studied at the ELC in 2023. Emma has been visiting graduate schools and meeting up with old friends like Braden Vibber, an MSU student who she met through the Japanese English Language Exchanges.

NCU and KSU Students Head Home

The MSU English Language Center held a farewell dinner for our wonderful students from Nagoya City University and Kyushu Sangyo University on March 3rd. They completed their 1-month program with us where they took part in ELC Intensive English Program classes, visited the Michigan Capitol, Chicago, and Detroit, and had numerous opportunities to get to know MSU students through Japanese language exchanges, a Japanese language class project and various other activities at MSU.

We will miss them. Safe travels and we hope to see them again soon.

Go Green!

Another Wonderful Visit to the Michigan Capitol!

The students from the English Language Center visited the Michigan State Capitol Building on Tuesday afternoon. While it was a very cold day, the Capitol was a warm and welcoming environment for everyone.

Smith Center and Munn Ice Arena Tour

Students from the ELC were treated to two separate tours last week. The group first toured the Clara Bell Smith Center where they watched MSU Athletes training in their various sports from baseball to field hockey. From there, the students stopped by the original Sparty Statue in Spartan Stadium. After visiting this iconic statue, the students were able to tour the Munn Ice Arena where they looked over the ice from within the home team’s bench. Special thanks to MSU Athletics for providing such amazing tours!

Congratulations on earning your TESOL certificate!

The TESOL Certificate Team would like to celebrate Jae Yeon Kang for this accomplishment by adding her name to our wall of certificate holders. We are confident that she will apply the knowledge gained in this program to support language learners in their academic success.

Once again, congratulations on this remarkable achievement!

CAL Promotion Reception-SS26

On February 11, 2026, the 2025 Promotion & Reappointment Reception was held in the Lincoln Room at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center.

The reception honored all Fixed-Term Faculty, Health Programs Faculty, MSU College of Law Faculty, FRIB/NSCL, MSU Extension, MSU Librarians, and Academic Specialists. This year, the ELC was well represented with 9 faculty members achieving the highest ranks in their respective appointments. Here is the complete list of honorees:

Promotion to Senior Academic Specialist
Leah Addis
Heekyoung Kim
Amy Kroesche
Aaron Ohlrogge
Matthew Rynbrandt
Carol Wilson-Duffy

Promotion to Senior Instructor
Peter Hoffman
Laura Ramm

Promotion to Professor
Dustin De Felice

Congratulations to these amazing faculty members! We look forward to their continued excellence in their respective areas of expertise.

More information on each faculty member can be found here at https://cal.msu.edu/news/msu-celebrates-promoted-faculty-honoring-24-from-the-college-of-arts-letters/

The MSU English Language Center is happy to welcome 21 students from Nagoya City University and Kyushu Sangyo University for a 1 month program.

The students will take part in ELC Intensive English Program classes, visit the Michigan Capitol, Chicago, and Detroit, and have numerous opportunities to get to know MSU students through Japanese language exchanges, a Japanese language class project and various other activities at MSU.

Have a great month, everyone!

Chicago Day Trip
When: Saturday, February 14, 2026 – 6 am to 11 pm.
Details: A one day trip to downtown Chicago. A bus will drop you off at Millennium Park and you will spend the day as you wish. You will board the bus at the same location to return to MSU at 5:45 pm Chicago time.
Cost: $75 – includes transportation to and from Chicago only. Bring money for shopping, sightseeing and food. NO REFUNDS!
Sign up – the deadline to sign up and pay for this trip is Thursday, February 12 at 5 pm, and you can pay at

https://commerce.cashnet.com/msu_3919.

Please contact Mark Albee with any questions at [email protected].

ELC External Programs Coordinator Mark Albee spent an amazing week in South Korea meeting with international program coordinators and faculty at universities in Seoul and Daegu. He was so impressed by their continued commitment to international education and deeply appreciative for the generosity with which he was received.