Sungjin Yun
Staff Writer
EvCC , currently has enrolled international students from 19 different countries. In the past several years, EvCC has enrolled 45-55 international students each term. This means that the college has a significant reason to solve language barrier issues.

Not being able to understand what people are saying, to express ideas or thoughts, to catch school lectures; people who speak English as a second language always have to deal with such difficulties in foreign countries like the United States. The defination of a “language barrier” is the barrier to communication resulting from speaking different languages. Since the United States has the highest number of international students, it has been organizing solutions to solve language barriers like providing free language lectures at colleges.

“I have been speaking English for more than seven years, but I still have communication problems,” said Jiho Kim, a currently enrolled international student at EvCC, “The hardest moments are when I have to express my thoughts when I am emotionally uncontrollable,” Kim explains, “For example, when I am having an argument with someone, the right words that I want to say do not come to me right away.” Even students who are already fluent at English need help with language barriers. “I usually meet with international officer Minjung, because she speaks my language which is Korean,” said Kim.

John Mikel, a student from Côte d’Ivoire, says “I graduated from EvCC last year, and when I was still studying at EvCC, I had a lot of problems catching the lectures, because I had been studying English only for a year.” Mikel continues “however, I think I learned English faster than students who speak Asian languages like Mandarin or Japanese, because English and my first language French had many things in common; grammar and vocabulary wise.” To improve pronunciation, Mikel took free classes provided by The BRIDGES (Building Readiness, Inspiring Dreams, Gaining Education Sucess) Center.

“I have been learning English for eight months; and it is really hard for me to learn, I always ask my friends for help.” said Kohei Shinji, a Japanese student who is taking Intensive English Language program (IELP) classes which are for English beginners. Shinji is a passionate student who practices his speaking through having conversations with other students.
Foreign exchange students can get help from the international office where they can meet with six officers who always try to support with visa status, academic goals, and linguistic burdens. Also, The BRIDGES Center at EvCC provides classes on English communication, U.S. culture, pronunciation and advanced grammar for no fees at all.

Chayuda Overby, the director of The BRIDGES Center says “International students should participate in campus life, learn to navigate college systems, and be open-minded for the difference.” Overby was an international student when she first came to the United Sates 10 years ago, and she is now in charge of The BRIDGES Center and help ESL students with their English. Overby says that many international students are creating barriers on their own by isolating themselves from different cultures. She suggests that international students be open to new cultures and get along with different people in order to overcome language barriers.