International Relations Brennan Center
Welcome!
Our mission is to engage the world with Niagara University’s rich heritage, centered on the philosophical, moral, and practical implications of the dignity of the individual, as well as promoting social justice through education and services. Whether you're coming to Niagara as an international student or are thinking about studying abroad, we're here for you.
Brennan Center
Our Focus
The philosophy of the Brennan Center is modeled after the success that Saint Justin de Jacobis, C.M., gained working in Ethiopia. He learned to understand and appreciate the culture of others before starting to teach.
In keeping with our Vincentian identity, the Edward A. Brennan Center for Language, Culture, and Leadership focuses on leading, learning, and serving in order meet the needs of international families and students. Through Niagara University, we reach out to English language learners within the community. With language as a centerpiece, the Center embraces the richness of culture and language through our students, faculty, and communities and extends our mission to agencies who serve the needs of refugee, migrant, and immigrant populations.
International Students Coming to Niagara University
Our knowledgeable counselors offer guidance through every step of the admissions process.
Programs
Our mission is to engage and enhance linguistic and academic proficiency and enable social participation among learners of English as a new language.
Niagara University is proud to offer a pathway for international students that wish to continue their academic career in the United States. Placement in the program is based upon a comprehensive language proficiency assessment and is designed for those that are conditionally accepted (based on success in English preparation courses) into Niagara University, those looking for TOEFL preparation, or those that seek to improve their language skills while developing leadership skills and cultural understanding. The ESL program has an established curriculum with clearly defined objectives by sequential performance levels (and delineated language skills) and performance measures which are regularly reviewed. This program operates under policies and procedures that ensure regular curricular review and continuous improvement process. TOEFL and IELTS preparation will be available for students at the advanced level of language proficiency as they prepare for college-entrance assessments. Preparatory courses will include independent study and practice, lab expectations, and direct teaching for skill development and test practice. Our current Niagara University students are able to demonstrate leadership skills and develop a wider more global perspective through working in teams with international students.
What can you expect?
- Those completing the highest level of the ESL program will be prepared for English language requirements for freshman year or graduate studies
- ESL students will be able to effectively listen to and speak with people of diverse backgrounds to fulfill communication tasks.
- ESL students will demonstrate appropriate reading and critical thinking skills to process information related to their roles.
- ESL students will demonstrate effective writing skills.
- ESL students will be able to advocate for their needs and the needs of others in their community.
Enjoy an American Adventure while improving your English proficiency!
International students will participate in our English Summer camp, experience American culture, learn English and enjoy Niagara Falls and our beautiful region. They can enjoy an American Adventure while improving their English language proficiency. Students have the opportunity to become immersed in seasonal activities related to the arts, sports, music, and outdoor recreation. They will make new friends while living on campus at Niagara University and participating in activities with other students from around the world.
What can you expect?
- Students will demonstrate understanding and appreciation of other cultures
- Students will improve their English Language Skills
- Students will create memories that will last a lifetime
- Students will receive a certificate of hours completed
New Residents: In keeping with our Vincentian mission, we embrace collaboration with agencies serving immigrant, refugee and migrant families, along with P-12 partnerships in serving English language learners in the Western New York area.
In collaboration with Catholic Charities, we developed the Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute. Through an intensive eight-week training and internship program, we prepare refugees for success in the hospitality industry.
English Language Learner’s (ELL’s) will be able to:
- Advocate for their needs and the needs of their family within governmental agencies, business, school and social environments
- Understand spoken English, American sayings, and colloquial language
- Compose simple letters and complete applications
Our international executive development programs are all customized for each group's unique needs:
Participants will be able to:
- Develop organizational goals and objectives
- Confidently apply topics learned to their own organization
- Learn from industry best practices
- Demonstrate the ability to interact with, learn from and train/teach individuals/groups from a diverse background
Training Clients
- Thailand Ministry of Education, Thailand
- Hanoi Young Business Association- HYBA, Vietnam
- Ministry of Home Affairs- MOHA
- Jianghan University -China
- Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Vietnam (MONRE), Vietnam
- Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam
- English Language and Teacher Education Program for Vietnamese Core English Teachers Hanoi, Vietnam
- Alba Hotels & Alba Thanh Tan Hot Springs Resort Revenue optimization, Sales Audit, Sales Generation, and Upselling Training conducted in Hue, Vietnam
Testimonials
We are honored to participate in the faculty training program this summer in your university. We are writing to extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Tenpao Lee, Dr. Deborah T. Curtis, Dr. Yonghong Tong, Ms. Melissa Hooper and Mrs. Xiaoyu Luo. Abundant thanks to these professors and staff members for their patience, expertise and genuine concern; they provided references and inspiration for our future teaching and researching. We learned a lot from this program through experiencing diverse teaching methods, and we also collected some useful information for teaching and research. Apart from studying and training, we enjoyed the local culture and realized the pleasure of practicing what we learned. We would also like to thank Dr. Ann D. Rensel, Dr. Zongqing Zhou, Dr. Suzanne C. Wagner and Dr. Petter Lovaas. They took time out from their busy schedule to share their experiences with us. A thousand words merged into one sentence: you are appreciated! - Wen Li, Entao Luo, Min Du & Lishao Huang (Hunan University of Science and Engineering)
I'm writing this email to thank you for your kind hospitality toward the Thai MOE delegation during our visit to Niagara University early this month. The meeting and discussion on possible collaboration were very informative and valuable. The delegates were highly impressed with the projects you have with Thai education institutions. On behalf of all the delegation, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for sharing your valuable time and knowledge to the OBEC delegates. I hope there would be collaboration between Niagara University and OBEC ... Please forward our gratitude to .... and all of the speakers especially, Dr. Frank Calzi who had given an impressive ideas and knowledge on leadership. Nuttapon Watanajarukij
A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) is a certificate of study is offered for students interested in teaching English abroad.
A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate of study is offered for students interested in teaching English abroad. The certificate of study is nine credit hours of instruction, and 20 hours of hands-on practice teaching English as a Second Language. The content of this certificate of study includes EDU 378: Foundations of Teaching English as a Second Language, EDU 380: Language and Linguistics in the ESL classroom, and EDU 435: Curricular Applications in Teaching English Language. This short-term training program will be offered through the International Relations/Brennan Center Office. For questions and to request program specific information, please contact the International Relations/Brennan Center directly . The certificate offered by Cambridge English Language Assessment, part of the University of Cambridge, is internationally recognized, highly respected and a benchmark for quality - it is the most recognized TEFL certificate course.
To be able to:
- Apply critical and analytical skills to effective English language use and to English language instruction
- Understand second language learning processes in diverse cultural and educational contexts
- Integrate technology into language instruction and materials development
- Evaluate language program effectiveness
- Apply knowledge of cross-cultural communication to teacher-student interactions, materials development, lesson plans, course design, community interactions, and assessment instruments
- Apply knowledge of theoretical and practical issues from acquired linguistics and ESL methodology to innovative and effective English language teaching practices
In keeping with our Vincentian mission, collaboration with agencies serving immigrant, refugee and migrant families are embraced along with P-12 partnerships in serving English language learners in the Western New York area.
In collaboration with Catholic Charities, we developed the Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute. Through an intensive eight-week training and internship program, we prepare refugees for success in the hospitality industry.
What to Expect
- Advocate for their needs and the needs of their family within governmental agencies, business, school and social environments
- Understand spoken English, American sayings, and colloquial language
- Compose simple letters and complete applications
More than 150 study abroad programs in dozens of countries are available to NU students.