Briefs

English classes for visiting scholars: A once-a-week noncredit course will be offered during the 2002 fall semester to visiting academicians at Cornell who seek to improve their English language skills, particularly speaking and listening comprehension. All language-learning activities will be oriented toward what will be most useful for the scholars. Practice in speaking will include formal presentations and individual help with pronunciation problems. In addition to classes, field trips will be regularly scheduled to provide opportunities for discussion with native English speakers and insight into American culture and history. Classes will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday evenings, Sept. 9 to Dec. 9. The program fee is $450. For further information, contact Donna Colunio, School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions, 255-7259, e-mail: cusp@cornell.edu, web site: www.sce.cornell.edu/exec.

ESL classes: Registration for the Cornell Campus Club's ESL (English as a Second Language) classes at the beginner, intermediate, advanced and TOEFL levels is Sept. 4 in The Café of Anabel Taylor Hall, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Classes begin the second week of September. A schedule for classes will be available at Maplewood Park and Hasbrouck apartments, at Day Hall and at the International Students and Scholars (ISSO) office, after Aug. 28.

Volunteer tutors needed: Literacy Volunteers of Tompkins County is seeking volunteer tutors to work with adult students who would like to increase their literacy skills. Students may be American-born, immigrants or refugees who need assistance with either adult basic education or English as a second language. Volunteers meet with students about two hours per week, based on their schedules, and attend 15 hours of training before being matched with students. Upcoming training sessions will be held in September. For more information, call 277-6442.

Grad student outreach opportunity: The Graduate Student School Outreach Project (GSSOP) is preparing for another year of collaboration between Cornell graduate students, local teachers and area elementary, middle and high school students. Each year GSSOP places a select number of energetic and creative graduate students in K-12 schools to teach an eight-session mini-course of their own design and particular area of expertise. The collaboration helps teachers diversify their curriculums and stimulate students while providing graduate students with the opportunity to motivate and excite students about their field of study. GSSOP provides graduate students with teacher training workshops, teaching material reimbursement and a stipend of $250. Participating graduate students will begin designing their course abstract and preparing their lessons this fall and then implement their course in spring 2003. The application deadline is Sept. 20. Visit the web site at www.psc.cornell.edu/gssop, stop by the Cornell Public Service Center at 200 Barnes Hall, or contact Jeremy Sporrong at 255-1148 or gssop@cornell.edu for more information.