“Like I’m Not in a Foreign Country”

Friends in Saudi Arabia Choose CU Denver’s ESL Academy

Going to a new school can be exciting yet daunting— especially if the institution is not only in a different town, but also in a different country. Good friends in Saudi … Read More

Transition Into New Year & New English Learning Environment

CU Denver’s ESL Academy Supports Students’ Success

“Moving into the heart of the CU Denver and into the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences? We love it!” exclaimed ESL Academy student Abdulraham Morelli. Morelli, whose home country is Syria, enthusiastically … Read More

Full-Spectrum English Language Support For Careers

CU Denver ESL Academy Benefits International Students & Scholars

Global access to new business markets, fueled by the exponential growth of technology, research and development, and modern project management tools have expanded organizations’ abilities to create effective project teams that … Read More

Happy Summer Reading! Explore International Perspectives

ESL Academy Student Success Stories

Spring semester is in its final stretch, and summer is almost here. Get ready to enjoy a season filled with longer daylight hours, more time for outdoor recreation, and extra moments for catching up on … Read More

Global Partnership Model = Chinese Student Success

Innovation Leads to Success for CU Denver & Northeast Forestry University

Strategic expansion is a key component as well as indicator of a strong professional partnership. Six years and more than forty students after signing their memorandum of understanding, the University of Colorado Denver and Northeast Forestry University are not only celebrating their collaborative 3 + 1 + 1 academic program, but also moving forward on plans that will broaden and deepen the academic offerings. Read More

Inaugural CU Denver Information Fair for ESL Students

Event Successfully Showcases Schools & Colleges

“What kind of jobs require a degree in public administration?” “Exactly what is conditional admission?” “I have two more Levels to go at the ESL Academy; when should I start applying to CU Denver?”. These questions, and many more from international students, engaged University of Colorado Denver school/college representatives at the inaugural CU Denver Information Fair at the ESL Academy. Designed to connect ESL students in Denver in direct discussions with staff from the university’s schools/colleges, the event was attended by more than 80 students. Read More

“Be The Hero In Your Own Life”

CU Denver ESL Academy Students Celebrate Summer Graduation

Amid cheers, applause, and a few tears of joy, twenty-eight international students celebrated their graduation from Level 5 at the ESL Academy, University of Colorado Denver on July 21st. They had arrived in Denver from countries around the world – China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Panama, Chile, Libya, and Vietnam – and had quickly become classmates, “study buddies”, friends, and a welcome addition to the ESL Academy family. Read More

Sharing the Good News

ESL Graduates Celebrate Success

What’s the first thing you do when you learn something new? Share it with a friend or family member. Lulu Alsalem, who graduated in 2016 from the ESL Academy, University of Colorado Denver, was pleased to discover how well the Academy had prepared her for university when she entered classes at CU Denver’s College of Engineering and Applied Science in Fall 2016. Naturally, she shared the good news with her younger brother, Doaij, who was living in Kuwait and interested in earning a dentistry degree in the United States. In May 2017, the siblings celebrated together, along with dozens of CU Denver friends, faculty, and staff, as Doaij and his Level 5 classmates graduated from the ESL Academy. Read More

Celebrating Kuwait National Day at CU Denver

ESL Academy Students & Denverites Enjoy Afternoon Festivities

“We have fun together when we celebrate our national holiday on February 25th; so we wanted to share it and enjoy the moment of having a smile on someone else’s face, too,” said Thamer Alshammri, a student in the ESL Academy, University of Colorado Denver. Along with his friends and classmates, Alshammri enjoyed distributing traditional Kuwaiti food, as well as American snacks, and extending global friendship to downtown Denver business and community neighbors throughout the afternoon. Read More

Navigating Cultural & Language Differences

ESL Academy Teams With First-Year Freshmen at CU Denver

International students and first-year American college freshmen share many common concerns: acclimating to a new environment with high academic expectations, understanding campus and city resources, and polishing communication skills for success in the classroom and workplace. Members of the Office of International Affairs and faculty and staff at the University of Colorado Denver collaborate in creative ways to develop programs that help students make the transition from high school—or from another country.

“The ESL students and new freshmen all want to make friends and be part of our campus community while building social confidence,” explained Rebecca Fisher, ESL Specialist at the ESL Academy. “Based on their smiles and laughter, I think this class has been a great success; they have really honed their conversational skills while making new friends.”
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