By JENNIFER JONES
jones@du2.byu.edu
International Language Programs trains BYU students to teach English to children in Russia and other foreign countries.
'This non-profit corporation has programs in five Russian cities, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Voronezh, Perm and Ufa,' said Trevor McKee, president of the ILP board. McKee, an associate professor of human development at BYU, founded ILP in Provo in 1992.
Kirsti Ehlers, 24, a junior from Burke, Va., majoring in history, participated in the program in 1994. Ehlers spent five months in St. Petersburg as a teacher in a kindergarten class.
The parents of the children in her classes were grateful for the service she was performing, Ehlers said.
'The ILP gives hope to families and to children,' she said.
Another BYU student, Brook Davis, 19, a sophomore from Provo majoring in international and area studies, taught English to school children in Voronezh Fall Semester 1998. Davis explained that besides a few day-retreats, the volunteers only receive a one week training session before beginning to teach.
'I went to Voronezh not knowing what to expect, but I came home with a changed outlook on the world,' Davis said.
Davis said she was in Russia during a moment of particular economic crisis when the ruble, the Russian monetary unit, jumped from six rubles for one American dollar to 22 rubles per dollar. She said she was surprised by the need and poverty as she traveled to St. Petersburg and Moscow. Davis said the people were the most hospitable she had ever met.
McKee said the ILP is teaching children English in other countries as well, including Belarus (located in the Baltic region) and Taiwan. He said until the Chinese government tightened restrictions on incoming visas, ILP also had 75 teachers in mainland China.
The teaching of English to elementary-age children in Russia began as a study abroad program at BYU. McKee said he founded ILP because he did not want to start children on a second-language program and then abandon them.
'The students we originally began teaching several years ago are now fifth-graders and our teachers love to see their progress,' McKee said. McKee attributed the success of the service done in foreign countries to the work and dedication of the volunteers.
McKee said the program fee for a volunteer to participate is a tax-deductible donation of $2,200 to the organization. They must also formally apply to ILP and demonstrate high moral standards to be accepted to the program.
For information about the International Language Programs call (801) 374-8854 or fax (801) 374-8913. The directors of ILP are Jared Hansen, Stephen Brayton and assistant director Anthony Beard.