The community excursion-based elective course (CE) has been designed for the Intensive English Program (IEP) at the International Language Institute (ILI) in Northampton, Massachusetts. The class provides access and information to international adult learners who are interested in learning more about the local community and culture for academic, professional and personal purposes. CE students will be exposed to various businesses, organizations, institutions and services in the community while being fully supported by a qualified teacher.
The types of excursions identified in this Capstone project differ in several ways from the extra-curricular activities and cultural exchanges that are commonly offered by most IEPs. First of all, these excursions are designed to focus on the everyday routines and practices of each hosting site. Secondly, students will participate in site tours and have discussions with each hosting community representative with the purpose of developing intercultural competency and language acquisition. Finally, students will spend a third of the elective reflecting upon their authentic experiences for the purpose of gaining a deeper understanding of their host community
