The Programs in English as a Second Language (PIESL) at UNL will host a Sept. 26 open house to welcome visitors to tour its newly renovated facilities and to meet the dedicated faculty and staff.

PIESL includes the Intensive English Program, a non-credit program for students seeking admission to UNL; the Credit English for Academic Purposes Bridge Program, a for-credit program for conditionally admitted UNL students; and the English as a Second Language Program, for-credit English courses designed for fully admitted UNL students who need or want some additional assistance developing their English proficiency.

“PIESL exists to ensure the academic success of UNL’s international students. The focus of PIESL is to help our students develop the English proficiency and academic habits they’ll need to be successful in degree programs at UNL,” said David Wilson, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and the university’s senior international officer. “As our numbers of international students grow, PIESL becomes an increasingly important gateway to the university.”

In addition to the renovated facilities, PIESL faculty and staff have renovated their programs in the past year – shifting from mini-terms to full semesters, updating the curriculum, re-focusing on English proficiency in academic settings, adopting a new placement exam and hiring the first-ever academic advisor and success coach for PIESL students.

“We are fortunate to have a committed team of PIESL faculty and a new director who have built on past successes and helped us rethink how we serve these students and prepare them for success,” Wilson said.

PIESL’s open house will be from 2-4 p.m. Sept. 26 in 514 Nebraska Hall East. Refreshments will be provided.