NEWS ARCHIVE Office of Communications 470C Wohlers Hall College of Business

College of BusinessCommerce News

August 5, 2002 -- News Brief

MBA Preparatory English Program hosts poster session

More than 40 students in the class of 2004 of the Illinois MBA Program made poster presentations earlier this month on a business of their choosing, one of a series of exercises used by the Preparatory English Program (PEP) to hone and refine communication skills.

PEP is a six-week intensive English program developed specifically for international students entering the Illinois MBA program. Classes cover such topics as business writing, public speaking, pronunciation, and business conversation. PEP assignments are similar to academic projects that the MBA students tackle during their first semester.

Students have additional opportunities to practice their skills and gain confidence through the other activities sponsored by PEP. Class exercises, weekly public speaking dinners, and a case competition (this year's is on ice cream giants Ben & Jerry) all refine communication skills.

PEP is taught by a combination of specially trained ESL instructors from the University of Illinois and by Illinois MBA faculty. The classes are small, providing individual feedback for each student. Christine Godzdiak directs PEP.

The Illinois MBA Program is a two-year, full-time program featuring an innovative integrated core course format that is unique among top MBA programs. The program believes in outcome-based learning where the emphasis is not just on what students know but what they do with what they know. Specialization and custom study tracks are available, as are joint degree programs.