What It Is

English is increasingly the international language of business, higher education, science, technology, and travel. To better prepare students for success in business, community, family, and Church roles, Brigham Young University Hawaii requires all of its students to be fluent and confident in English.

For students who do not have the necessary English skills to do well on campus, BYU–Hawaii requires English as an International Language (EIL) courses. For students learning to teach English to speakers of other languages, the university offers Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) courses. Additional funding is needed to further develop and secure these crucial and mission-centric programs at BYU–Hawaii.

Why It Is a Priority

BYU–Hawaii is a unique laboratory for learning and teaching English. Because of the size of the student body and its unparalleled internationality, learning English at BYU–Hawaii is not confined to a few students or even a small percentage of the whole—it is pervasive for nonnative and native speakers alike; it is a major thrust of the BYU–Hawaii educational experience, and it is part of the day-to-day culture on campus.

BYU–Hawaii’s prophetic direction to prepare young people from the Pacific and Asia calls for it to excel at teaching English to nonnative speakers. Additional funding for EIL and TESOL will help BYU–Hawaii make the most of its mission and unique position. Donations will increase the number of students benefited by BYU–Hawaii EIL and TESOL programs and improve the students’ preparedness for life after graduation.

What It Does and How It Helps

Students’ competency in English is central to the quality of preparation they receive on campus and greatly enhances their capacity to serve and lead after graduation. The EIL program at BYU–Hawaii provides nonnative speakers of English with the English instruction they will need to meet the linguistic demands of university life and focuses on proficiencies that these same students may need in their careers following graduation. TESOL instruction prepares students to effectively teach English in today’s interconnected world.

A thriving and well-respected English proficiency program benefits students now and into the future, creating academic, professional, civic, and ecclesiastical opportunities.