New Director Louise Dolan Revamps the Summer Institute in English

Entering its fifty-third year, the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures Summer Institute in English is one of the oldest and most renowned intensive English programs in the region. Its new director, Louise Dolan, is determined to continue the Institute’s long tradition of academic excellence, providing its participants an all-inclusive opportunity to boost their English language proficiency skills, as well as gain exposure to the rich cultural diversity of the Triangle area.

Dolan is a recent retiree from North Carolina State University. She taught Spanish language and culture for twenty-six years before completing N.C. State’s TESOL Certificates Program and teaching English as a Second Language in 2015 for the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. 

Traditionally, the Summer Institute in English has provided high-quality intensive, communicative instruction and practice in the use of American English as a three-week or five-week summer program. Students attend core classes in writing, speaking and reading in the morning, and in the afternoon they can choose from a variety of elective classes in areas of personal or professional interest, such as presentation skills, English for business, and TOEFL preparation, among others. During the evenings and weekends, participants will be offered many opportunities for cultural and social immersion. 

Dolan is committed to creating a memorable educational experience for all participants, regardless of their professional experiences and/or background. With that in mind, she is revamping the Institute’s marketing strategy, including a newly redesigned website and promotional materials. The objective is to reach new markets through the traditional international students already enrolled in one of the many academic programs available at NC State, and through the more seasoned professionals working at a company located in the Research Triangle area and abroad.

In addition to the new website and marketing materials, there will be more opportunities for the participants to explore the Raleigh area. “Raleigh has developed a national reputation,” says Dolan. “It is a very attractive place for people to come and study English with the possibility of later working and living in the Triangle area.” Consequently, weekends will be jam-packed with field trips and cultural/social activities — such as tours to downtown Raleigh for First Friday Art Gallery events; North Hills Mall for shopping and café browsing; visits to Raleigh’s many museums; and sharing a meal with an American family. According to Dolan, one important goal of the program is to “let people know what Raleigh and North Carolina have to offer” while pursuing more advanced proficiency in English. 

The Summer Institute in English, part of the English as a Second Language Program at North Carolina State University, is a leading provider of English as a Second Language instruction in one of the fastest-growing cities in the Southeast. Under Dolan’s new stewardship, participants will have more opportunity to capitalize on cultural offerings of Raleigh while improving their English language proficiency. For more information, please visit the Institute’s website.