This accreditation will help our visibility greatly. Brooks said there has been a growing desire in most of the nation s 1,000 intensive English language programs, as well by the federal Immigration and Naturalization Service, to establish criteria for the programs and to provide accreditation when those criteria are met. This week s meeting of the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation is the first in which accreditation is being granted to any of the nation s English language programs. We are among the first Brooks said, because we have an excellent program, and we are very pleased that it is being recognized internationally. Eastern s ELI has been providing intensive language instruction for 20 years, serving approximately 100 students each quarter.
Most students come from East Asia, but students have also come from countries all around the world.
About 75 percent of those who complete the program go on to college, many of whom attend Eastern, although some go to Spokane Falls Community College before returning to Eastern. The ELI attracts students through recruitment and promotion activities and via advertisements in international journals and through alumni. Whenever the ELI is contacted by a South American student, Hurtado gets involved. Currently, thanks to his participation, there is a Chilean student at the ELI, with other South American students expected this winter. The benefit of having these international students on campus is tremendous, Brooks said.