Edge partners with ELI to expand summer program

11:30 a.m., Feb. 20, 2014--After 30 years of success, the University of Delaware's Edge pre-college program will now partner with the English Language Institute (ELI) for the summer of 2014 to bring this enriching opportunity to students abroad, as well as those in the U.S. 

Edge was initially created to prepare rising high school juniors and seniors across the country for college success by immersing them in the culture and curriculum at UD in a two-month-long summer program. 

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Through the newly formed collaboration with ELI, called Edge-ELI, these talented high school students, now located internationally or in the United States, can experience this challenging academic program and propel themselves into higher education.

“We will begin promoting Edge-ELI at international education fairs, as well as via our overseas recruitment partners, who work in local markets,” said Nadia Redman, assistant director for admissions and recruitment at ELI. 

The English Language Institute offers the highest quality intensive English programs for degree-seeking students, business and legal professionals, English language teachers and general English language learners. 

“We’re always looking to expand our appeal to many different kinds of students,” said Kevin Liedel, Edge coordinator. “Edge is already a very diverse program, since students from all over the country attend, many of them from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Our new partnership with ELI will allow us to do this on a global scale.”

Edge-ELI allows international students to live on campus and among American students in dormitories. To enhance their academic progress and English speaking skills, the students will also enroll in one University-level course and take English courses to earn transferable credits. 

Running from July 12-Aug. 16, the program will be filled with numerous workshops and information sessions to make the students well rounded in their college knowledge. With topics such as campus resources, writing and research techniques and the entire college application process, it will prepare young students for their journey ahead. 

To reinforce the knowledge and skills the students will acquire through the workshops, they will participate in The Edge Scholar Capstone Project, incorporating online platforms such as Tumblr and group-based visual presentations with Prezi. 

“The program may attract students from countries typically underrepresented here at ELI and may lead to future enrollment at the University of Delaware as it is a great opportunity to experience college life in the US firsthand -- like a sneak peak!” Baerbel Schumacher, manager for international projects at ELI,  said. 

To learn more about the Edge-ELI program, follow this link. 

To learn more about ELI, please watch this video.    

Article by Nicole Sullivan