News

Nourhan Elmorsy met her husband Hamza Alshweki ‘25G when they were both attending college in Jordan, and when Alshweki decided to continue his graduate studies at Lehigh University, she moved to the United States with him.

Elmorsy wanted to improve her English skills, but feared it would be difficult to find language classes that she could afford. So she was surprised when Alshweki informed her she could get free English classes at Lehigh.

“I wanted to improve my English, connect with people, and make some friends in the local community,” said Elmorsy, who was originally from Egypt but grew up in Jordan. “Now I feel confident and ready to step up and continue my journey in learning English.”

Lehigh’s International Center for Academic and Professional English (ICAPE) helps multilingual speakers of English improve their communication skills with flexible, student-focused program options that are grounded in evidence-based practice and connected to the resources of the larger university community.

These offerings include free English courses to spouses of Lehigh graduate students with a J2 or F2 visa. Elmorsy received a certificate of participation last week for her classes in the StepUp Intensive English program, which helps participants develop high-intermediate to advanced levels of English language proficiency.

Ashley Murphy, Assistant Director of ICAPE, said many graduate students are not aware that these free courses are available to their spouses. She urged Lehigh faculty members to let their graduate students know about them and refer them to ICAPE for more information.

“It’s not only a great way to improve English, but it’s also a good way for spouses of these students to make connections outside of class,” Murphy said. “They don’t always have someone they can speak to who understands their difficulties in a new country. This is a way for them to progress, learn something, and make friends who might better understand that.”

Spouses can take two classes per semester. Elmorsy began with Foundations of English classes, which are more of a beginner level than the StepUp courses. Afterward, she took the StepUp Communicating on Campus course, which focuses on types of communication specifically used at American college campuses.

Elmorsy, who earned a bachelor’s degree in business in Jordan before coming to the United States, said she found the ICAPE classes to be very informative and interactive. She feels her English has improved so she can better understand videos and speak more confidently in everyday situations like shopping or scheduling doctor’s appointments.

“The instructor was so supportive by letting us interact in class and speak freely, and she was giving us helpful homework assignments and exams to develop more skills,” Elmorsy said. 

Although the courses themselves are free, there is a $50 application fee for each semester, Murphy said.