Vermont State welcomes multilingual learners, including students whose first language is not English. Multilingual students from international and U.S. backgrounds enrich our academic community.
Vermont State offers multilingual students the ESL instruction, resources, and counseling to be successful while navigating an additional language and culture. Academic support resources include help with academic English reading, academic writing, listening, speaking, pronunciation, and cultural literacy. Services are available both in-person and remotely. Students can receive individual tutoring support or take courses designed specifically for multilingual students.
Our Pathway Program for English Language Learners on the Castleton Campus is designed for students who are working to achieve the English proficiency requirements needed for admission to their degree program.
Community Resources
- Tutoring for Multilingual Students: All of our Academic Support tutors and staff are excited to work with multilingual learners. Multilingual students seeking English language counseling and support can contact Dr. Mary Dinh to set up English language tutoring and cognitive counseling to meet your needs.
- Conversation Partners Program: International students will be paired with local students to learn languages and cultures together. Local students who plan to study abroad can also practice the language(s) before their trip.
- Language for Credit: Students interested in earning credits for language learning can consult with our office for further guidance.
- ENG 1050 | Language and Power: This course is essential for American students preparing to study abroad. It equips them with communication strategies and intercultural competence to navigate cultural and linguistic barriers. Students can find this course listed as ENG 1050, offered every spring semester in person at the Castleton campus
Questions?
For more information about Multilingual Student Services, the English Pathway Program, or to reach out with inquiries, project proposals, or potential collaborations, contact Dr. Mary Dinh.
Assistant Director of Multilingual Students Services
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Department
- Academic Support
- Student Success
Primary Office Location
Castleton Campus
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Email Address
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Phone Number
As Heard on Vermont Edition:
How Vermont State University supports its growing number of multilingual students
Mary Dinh, VTSU’s assistant director of multilingual student services, and Katy Culpo, a professor in the health, human movement and sports department, discuss their role in supporting these students. They also discuss the challenges of integrating language learning into traditional classroom models, and how academic English differs from the way many of us use English in our everyday lives.
Plus, recent VTSU graduate Samuel Koroma, originally from Sierra Leone, shares his experiences as a multilingual and multicultural student.
