MSU English Language Center - ELC

Congratulations on Your Retirement!

Faculty and Staff were happy to celebrate one of our favorite people last week. Tammy Velez, a longtime custodian, celebrated her retirement and birthday. We will miss seeing her in Wells, though she promised to visit every now and then to add some pieces to the puzzle tables. She was one of the puzzler rock stars adding even more pieces than Peter Hoffman. We’ll miss you!

Fulbright Grantee Poster Presentations

On Friday, August 14, the Fulbright Pre-Academic Program grantees will be providing poster presentations about their experiences at MSU and what they have learned about US academic and campus culture during their program. These 24 grantees from 17 different countries will all be leaving MSU on August 15 and heading to numerous US universities to begin their graduate degrees. All are welcome to view these posters and engage with the Fulbright Grantees on their research. We hope you will be able to make it!

Time: 9 am to 10:30 am

Location: Wells Hall B104 and B106

We finished another puzzle!

Our students, faculty, and staff finished another puzzle last week. This puzzle of Ancient Egyptian artifacts took just about three weeks to complete because of its friendly patterns, unique design elements, and bright colors.

We already started a new puzzle: Falling Waters by Frank Lloyd Wright. This double-sided puzzle is already a center favorite. Stop by soon before it gets finished. As a bonus, we will then dismantle the puzzle and start it over on the other side.

We also still have our dolphin puzzle going. This puzzle has been up for many weeks, so definitely stop by and help us finish it before the fall starts.

ELC Visits Chicago in Summer 2026

A few weeks ago, the ELC visited Chicago with our summer programs. Our students, scholars, and guests visited sites around the city including 875 North Michigan Avenue (formerly known as the John Hancock Center), Navy Pier, the Chicago Cultural Center, Lake Michigan, and many other places.

The weather was perfect if somewhat warm. Our trip even coincided with the resumption of clean air and blue skies. Thanks to everyone for joining us this year!

Fulbright Pre-Academic Program (PAP) 2026

The MSU English Language Center is hosting another wonderful cohort of the Fulbright Pre-Academic Program (PAP) from July 18 to August 15, 2026. 24 participants from 17 countries are taking part in the program, and over the course of the four week program, they will brush up on their oral communication skills and academic writing skills to prepare them for their upcoming graduate studies in the U.S. In addition, the ELC is collaborating with the MSU Police; Office for International Students and Scholars; Prevention, Outreach and Education Department; and Office of Admissions to provide campus and academic culture seminars. During the program, the Fulbright grantees will have opportunities to visit the Michigan Capitol, Chicago, Mackinac Island, the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, and Detroit.

This activity is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as part of its Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international exchange program supported by the people of the United States and partner countries around the world.

ELC Visits Spartan Stadium!

It was a ‘Go Green! Go White!” kind of day as participants from our ELC summer programs had the unique opportunity to tour the Spartan Stadium building, amble through the football locker room, and get out onto the field’s edge! Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

2nd Annual Mock Moth Results

On Tuesday, July 23, our amazing summer students held a Mock Moth where audience members were able to enjoy live storytelling from 1-2:50pm. 12 students told stories about their lives and experiences that ranged from serious to humorous, and they rocked their storytelling. Audience members applauded, laughed, and cheered them on. The program included the following students and the titles of their work:

Kosh – Harsh Punishment
Eno – The Moth
Sean – Ice Boy
Taisei – My Father’s Clock
Kosuke – Let’s Be Kind to Others
Jaeyoung – Not My Family, But Family
Jieun – Finding Community in a New Place
Yoshi – The Phone Never Stopped Ringing
Yasu – No Sleep, No Manual, No Problem
Sam – 26 Years Old Korean Manager
Jack – Witnessing My Own Transformation
Juhwa – The Garlic Connection

The unifying theme for the even was “Community.”

We are so proud of the students for their braveness and creativity, and we are also extremely grateful for the faculty for setting up such an amazing event!

The whole ELC crew visited MOO-ville Creamery in Nashville, MI yesterday for some wholesome farm fun! We had lunch, toured the robotic cow barn, watched the robots milk cows, fed animals at the petting zoo, and — of course — enjoyed ice cream! A perfect summer activity, with all the summer smells, as well!

Chicago Day Trip

When: Saturday, July 18, 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, July 16 at 5 pm, and you can pay at
https://commerce.cashnet.com/msu_3919.

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

Lake Michigan Day Trip

When: Saturday, July 11, 2026 - 7:30 am to 6 pm

Details: We’ll spend a day on Michigan’s west coast, a popular tourist destination. The trip includes an exciting dune ride, a few hours to eat, shop, and wander around downtown Saugatuck, and an hour or two at the beach. Bring a swimsuit if you want to swim. For more information, check out https://www.saugatuckduneride.com/ and https://saugatuck.com/

Cost: $70 - includes transportation to and from Lake Michigan and the dune ride. Bring money for lunch and shopping. NO REFUNDS!

Sign up - the deadline to sign up and pay for this trip is Thursday, July 9 at 5 pm, and you can pay at https://commerce.cashnet.com/msu_3919.

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

Saugatuck Douglas Welcome to Saugatuck, Douglas, and Fennville—three distinct towns that beat with one welcoming heart. From award-winning beaches and scenic waterways to a thriving arts scene and world-renowned culinary landscape, this is a one-of-a-kind place where people long to stay. For a getaway rich in both ...