Enrollment skyrockets as English Language Development Diploma enters second year

The McMaster English Language Development Diploma (MELD) has just welcomed its second cohort into the program, with more than double the number of students.

A total of 84 students registered to attend the program this year — up from 36 just one year prior.

MELD is a transitional or “bridging” program, intended for international students who need to improve their oral and written English language skills prior to beginning their first full year of university.

Students enrolled in the program meet or exceed academic requirements to enter an undergraduate program, but do not meet the minimum English proficiency standard to enter into an undergraduate program at McMaster.

MELD uses a variety of approaches to engage students, improve their proficiency scores and help facilitate the acculturation process. The program also employs a structured peer mentoring system.

A MELD “passport” is presented to each of the students, containing a list of extracurricular activities to boost English-language learning and increase a sense of belongingness at McMaster.

Passport activities include joining a University club or conversation circle, or attending on-campus workshops.

“We’ve made the MELD passport a more prominent feature,” says associate dean of Humanities and MELD director Anna Moro.

“Students will do better if they feel that they belong to the broader university community. Contextual language learning helps students in informal settings, as well as scoring higher academically.”

Previous graduates from the MELD program shared their experiences and gave advice in an open panel during the MELD orientation — an experience that new students will continue to benefit from in coming years.

Upper-year students in McMaster’s Art of Leadership: Mentorship course will be mentoring MELD students this year.