Page 7 - CC Life 13 2015 Spring

New Hampshire University (SNHU). According to What are the results? One recent graduate of
the SNHU website, the program allows students to our English Language Teaching (ELT) program
work with faculty, professional advisors, mentors and was hired directly after graduation by a well-
fellow students to tackle real-world problems. The known local English language school, and her
students then bring their knowledge and experiences supervisors were surprised by her teaching skills.
back to seminars where they apply them in an academic She was able to create and implement engaging
setting. The program co-director says that the program English lessons and manage her classroom well
starts with the student’s interests, experiences, and -- skills that she perfected during her year-long
passion and supports each student as he or she wraps all practicum at Christ’s College. Another ELT
of the broad knowledge and career-specific expertise graduate continued in our joint MA TESOL
into engaging and meaningful work completed with a program with Azusa Pacific University and
professional in the field. after completing it got a job teaching Chinese
at an international school in Taiwan. The
To encourage our students to gain skills that will superintendent of that school told me that our
be valued by future employers we at Christ’s College graduate was exactly the kind of teacher he was
ask our students to apply what they are learning in looking for. In fact he wants more of the same!
the classroom to multi-semester projects, to engage in Graduates of our Communications major have
summer or semester long internships and practicums, had similar experiences, and a number of them
and to participate in extracurricular activities such as have been offered positions in Christian media
our student ministry teams. In our Communications organizations after completing their practicums.
major, for example, students are required to do at
least two months of summer practicums with a media Giving our students “real” jobs to do during
company as well as to produce a graduation project such their practicums and internships, teaches more
as a photo exhibit or a short film during their senior than just usable job skills. It develops Christian
year. English teaching majors are required to complete character, creativity and the ability to work
a two semester professional teaching internship at with other people – skills that set our graduates
a local elementary school as part of their degree apart from those of other schools. Professionals
requirements. Many of our students also participate in from Christ’s College are noticed by their
our extra-curricular student ministry teams where they supervisors, wanted by employers, and needed
apply what they are learning to the organization and for the careers of tomorrow.
implementation of camps for children.

References:

Littlejohn, R. & C. Evans. (2006). Wisdom and Eloquence: A Christian Paradigm for Classical
Learning. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

Money, T. (2010) College Unbound at SNHU Takes Students out of the Traditional Classroom.
Retrieved December 31, 2014 from http://www.snhu.edu/search.asp?q=college%20unbound

Ray, J. & S. Kafka. (2014) Life in College Matters for Life after College: New Gallup-Purdue study
looks at links among college, work, and well-being. Retrieved December 31, 2014 from http://www.
gallup.com/poll/168848/life-college-matters-life-college.aspx

Selingo, J. (2013) College Unbound: The Future of Higher Education and What It Means for Students.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.