【時報訊】為推動國際英語案，美國國務院成立「社區大學英語學院」，向亞洲及國際社會推動英語語言，二月二十四日，60位來自亞洲地區八個國家的學生代表，在這項專案安排下，訪問密蘇里州首府傑弗森市並參觀州議會，聖路易大學城72選區華埠選出之州議員Maria Chappelle-Nadal親切的接待這批來訪同學。
這項國際學生訪問計劃系由聖路易密蘇里大學「國際社區大學教育及領導中心」安排，經費來自美國國務院「社區大學英語學院」，邀請亞洲地區八個國家(菲律賓、泰國、寮國、高棉、緬甸、馬來西亞、越南、蒙古)之60位大學生前來美國，作為期二個月八周的英語密集訓練。
目前這60位大學生分別在聖路易社區大學三個校區Meramec, ForestPark, Florissant Valley)之南亞研究課程註冊上課，接受密集英語課程，這項計劃目的在讓偏遠或落後地區之學生能夠經由在聖路易的英語訓練課程瞭解美國生活與文化。今年1月中旬抵達，三月中旬課程結束，每一位同學每周將參與有12小時之文化和語言課程活動，訪問密州首府傑弗森市並與州議員們會面亦是課程活動項目之一。
據瞭解「社區大學英語學院」基金是全美國五個獲核准基金之一，也是唯一一個針對社區大學教育課程項目之基金。密州美國參議員Kit Bond及他在華府的辦公室為這項祗有一次性機會的基金獲准，作了最基礎的努力和推動。
International students from Southeast Asia visited the Missouri State Capitol
On February 24th, 60 international students from Southeast Asia visited the Missouri State Capitol to speak with members of the General Assembly.
The Center for International Community College Education and Leadership (CICCEL) at the University of Missouri-St. Louis has received a grant through the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State that has brought 60 international students from Southeast Asia to study in the St. Louis Community College District for an intensive English language program. The students are from 8 different countries: Philippines, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Mongolia.
The students are currently attending the three city campuses of the St. Louis Community College (Meramec, Forest Park and Florissant Valley). They will be in the U.S. for eight weeks. Having arrived mid-January, they will depart mid-March. The purpose of the grant is to increase English language proficiency for students from disadvantaged populations, while also exposing them to American life and culture via their stay in St. Louis. Each student is enrolled for 12 hours of instruction and participating in weekly cultural events and activities.
The "Community College English Language Institute" grant was one of only five awarded in the country, and the only on to a community college/university consortium. U.S. Senator Kit Bond and his Washington office provided the groundwork for this one-time grant opportunity.
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