Project-based classes in EIE program
1. Introduction
If you were tired of taking academic English classes including TOEFL and TOEIC lessons, you could enjoy the EIE afternoon classes. In this program, you were able to choose the class that you were interested in – online magazine, drama, books and film – and then do the projects work for 4 weeks. Not only did the project classes make you think more creatively, but they also improved your English skills in an interesting way. So, let’s see what the project-based classes in EIE Program were.
Shorts
This class is taught by Professor Tom Webster. In this class, students were able to participate in the short movies which they made on their own. They wrote scripts, acted, filmed and edited by themselves. For students who were interested in dramas, it was a good opportunity to make their own drama. Furthermore, they were able to improve their ability to express themselves in English.
Min-ji Kim, who joined this class, said: “It was a really interesting and unique experience for me to make my own movie and I had fun filming and editing the video. I recommend this class!”Live Theatre Production
This course attracted those who wanted to imagine performing on the stage. This four-week course was taught by Professor Greg Skwarok. In this class, students were actors, directors, and writers. In the first week, they studied the basic elements of play-writing and in the second week, they learned theatrical production, such as stage and costume design. For the last two weeks, they took acting lessons and performed in small groups. Finally, they performed a 20-25 minute play.
Jung-Eun You in this class stated: "It was the first time I had participated in a production, but I really enjoyed doing this.”Internet Magazine
In web magazine class, which was taught by Professor Bruce Barnes, students had a chance to be reporters. They found topics related to Ewha or what female college students might have an interest in. For example, the magazine introduced make-up kits and articles about places to eat or to rest near Ewha. After they selected the topics, they went around gathering information they needed. After researching, they wrote the articles. Before posting the articles on the blog, the professor gave the students some advice and helped them with editing. The articles became more professional as they went through the procedure. They had chances to write at least three articles. Participating in this class gave students confidence at writing articles as well as knowledge of the topics that they wrote about.
You-Jung Lee, the student of web-magazine, said: "It was very useful because I got to choose the topics that I was interested in and I gained a lot of knowledge about that topic. At first, I had difficulties in writing and researching but when I finished writing my article, I felt satisfied with my work.”Business Start-up
This project class was for students who were interested in business. In Business Start-up, which was instructed by Professor Marc Neufeld, students learned how to start a business and how to make it successful. For example, each group made a business plan, made reasons for funding and decided how to advertise. At the end of the class, they did presentations to introduce their products or services to the world!
According to Hyo-Seon Lee, the student of Ewha, "Joining in Business Start-up helped us prepare for our future careers and for real business life.”
Literary Critics’ Club
This class was taught by Karlie Herndon. In this class, students could experience various genres such as novels, poems, and short stories and students read and discussed these works. They could also choose books that they wanted to read during the last two weeks. They felt they improved their ability to express their ideas freely, and to think more creatively and critically.
Hay-young Kim, Who joined this class, stated: "I had more confidence in reading books as I read more and I learned how to think critically. It helped me a lot.”
Drama production
In this 4-week program, which is taught by Professor Robert, students explored a range of activities to help develop their ability to produce appropriate language in drama. Samples of stage and other dramas (including musicals and other genre) were viewed and discussed. Finally, in groups, students developed and performed self-produced drama pieces, one of which was performed at the last day of the EIE program.Sung Eun Son said: "Because I like to sing and dance, I loved this class and I learned a lot through this class.”
Conclusion
On the last day of EIE program, every student and professor watched the performances by students from the live theater and drama production classes and watched the videos made by the shorts students. The magazines were uploaded in the EIE website so that everyone can read. All students actively participated in their works and enjoyed their classes.