York’s Open Learning Centre officially open

Pictured above: VP Academic Sheila Embleton and Academic Coordinator of the OLC Prof. David Mendelsohn

It’s official! York’s English as a Second Language Open Learning Centre (ESL-OLC) has been declared open at Room 037 Vanier College. The centre was opened officially by VP Academic Sheila Embleton. Associate VP International Adrian Shubert was in attendance.

At the ceremony Prof. David Mendelsohn, academic coordinator of the centre, introduced Sandy Iverson, manager of Independent Learning Programs at the OLC and at York”s English Language Institute. In his remarks, Mendelsohn thanked Jean Handscombe, director of the institute, for the vital role she played in the setting up of the centre.

In reality, it has been operating since the last week of September, offering support to students who need individual tutoring on specific language skills, want to take part in weekly workshops on topics related to their ESL needs, and/or would like to learn language through the computer.

The centre is open to all York students, both undergraduate and graduate, free of charge. Anyone needing help with any aspect of English, whether it be listening, reading, writing or speaking, may request it.

For more details about the ESL-OLC, go to www.yorku.ca/eslolc and follow the simple online instructions to register as a member. E-mail enquiries may be made at this address: eslolc@yorku.ca.

The centre, which is funded by the Office of the VP Academic, has consolidated and built on the work that has been undertaken for several years by the English as a Second Language Tutoring Centre operating out of the Centre for Academic Writing, Atkinson Faculty of Liberal & Professional Studies and Glendon College.

Pictured here from left to right are are Michael Vin of the English Language Institute, David Mendelsohn, Sheila Embleton, Carol Fraser, professor in the Dept. of English, Glendon College, and Helen Huang, manager of the English Language Institute.