English Camp, Highlighted Program for Freshmen
By Choi Hye-seon, Tribune Reporter
Chonnam National University (CNU) operated the first English camp for pre-freshmen with the formal title ‘2009 CNU Freshman Jump-in Program’ to educate them intensively and improve their English ability before entrance into the university. The English camp, designed as a part of a Beginners Education Program to boost freshmen’s learning ability and help them adapt themselves to campus life after entrance into the university, was hosted by the Office of International Affairs and the Language Education Center, CNU.
The program was held twice and each camp was held for three weeks. 150 freshmen participated in the first camp from January 5th to 23rd, and 227 freshmen took part in the second camp from February 2nd to 20th. The first camp participants were divided into six classes and the second ones were organized into nine classes. One foreign teacher and a Teaching Assistant (TA) selected from CNU students were assigned to each class.
Freshmen who participated in this program lived together in CNU Residence Hall during the whole camp period except on weekends. Their schedule started at 9 in the morning and finished at 8 in the evening. A freshman participant Lim Hae-jeong (Freshman, School of Mathematics and Statistics) said, “We lived together for three weeks, so we could form friendship with each other. This program is a good way to make various and good friends.” 
In addition, there were always special lectures every afternoon. One time, Kim Tae-won, a Professor of Sogang University gave a speech about ‘community and self-enlightenment’ and Sandra McKay, a Professor of San Francisco State University, lectured on ‘the reason we have to study English and methods of learning vocabulary’. Freshmen participants also had consultations with professors of various majors. A participant, Kim Young-seon (Freshman, School of Biological Sciences and Technology) said, “Special lectures were very helpful. Professors talked about many things that we need to use and understand in our campus life.”
On the last day of each camp, the participants exhibited their works and showed their talents and English skills through presentations in the closing ceremony. Winners of exhibitions and presentations won prizes and each participant took a certificate for their achievement.
CNU provided a new and good program for freshmen to motivate them to prepare for their own courses on campus by holding ‘CNU Freshman Jump-in Program’. Freshman participants got confidence, improved their English skills and made good friends through this program, which has been judged to be a great success for a starting point for perceiving and realizing the potential of CNU students. CNU expects more and more freshman to participate in this program next year and gain many advantages for their nice start at CNU and develop their talents.