Read and learn all about the fantastic people behind the scenes at the Tutorium. They work very hard to ensure your journey here is a great one. When you see them around campus, say hello. They would love to see you!

Academic Chair

Tell us a little about yourself. 

I live in the western suburbs (10 minutes from the Aurora outlet mall) with my family...which includes our three dogs!  In my free time, besides spending time with my family, I also enjoy playing trombone in the West Suburban Homeschool Band.  Music is a wonderful way to be creative and even learn as we communicate in a wordless language. 

What do you do here at the Tutorium?
While my favorite thing to do at the Tutorium is teach, I am currently the "Academic Chair."  It doesn't mean a fancy place to sit. I just mean that I ensure the teachers have everything they need to help you learn English. 

What do you love about your job?
I love working with students and seeing them make progress in their language skills because they are working hard to understand. 

Where can students find you? 
107 Addams Hall

What's one piece of advice you have for students?
Don't be afraid to make mistakes in class--No one is perfect--and when you don't understand, ask a question--it's how we learn!

UIC's campus has so much to offer! From a variety of dining options to recreation, there is something here for you to enjoy and experience during your time as a student. Here's your UIC bucket list. Grab a friend and start exploring and experiencing all the fun things you can do here at UIC. When you do write about your experience for the newsletter. We would love to hear all about it! 

The fall season officially started September 22. Fall (also called autumn) in Chicago and the Midwest is a beautiful time of year with the changing fall foliage colors. The leaves turn from green to gold, orange, red and brown, and the effect is glorious! There are many places in and near Chicago where you can see the Midwestern fall in all its beauty! Check out this article to learn where to go for the best views: Chicago Fall Colors.

Join us for a light lunch, learn a new art form from one of our own Tutorium students, and enjoy conversation about art, art forms, and culture! See you there!

Join teachers Kris and Nora on this fun local adventure! Kris will meet students at Addams Hall at 10 am to take the bus to the zoo. Nora will join everyone at the zoo. Don't miss this great opportunity to explore the city with friends and teachers! SIGN UP HERE TODAY! 

Have you ever been to a pumpkin farm in the US? Maybe you noticed that many Americans LOVE fall. Now’s your chance to experience one of the things Americans like to do in the fall! Take a free day trip to Lockport, Illinois, get out of the city, and visit Siegel’s Farm Pumpkin Fest! 

You'll get to go on a wagon ride, pet animals, pick pumpkins, play games, and get lost in Jurassic Farm Corn Maze!

Also, you don't have to worry about how to get there. Transportation is provided from the UIC campus to the farm and back to campus!

Please visit our office in person to register and sign the participant waiver form. Registration online or via phone is not available for this event.

If you plan on attending, please register immediately!

Are you planning to apply to a university for an undergraduate or graduate degree? Do you wonder how to do this? 

The focus of the next University Admissions Seminar will be on applying to University. We will talk about how to start, the information that you need to collect, and give some advice on staying organized.

Join us on Wednesday, October 1, 2:30 PM in AH 104. If you want to ask questions ahead of time, email tutorium@uic.edu.

Join UIC in celebrating and honoring the influences, contributions, culture, and the achievements of Latinx diaspora. Here are a few free events happening right here on campus. 

Mural Tour & Dialogue | September 29 | 1:00 - 2:00pm

Cine y Cultura: Movie Screening (featuring Coco) | October 7 | 5:00 - 7:00pm 

LatinX Heritage Month Noche de Raices | October 17 | 6:00 - 8:30pm

The following section of the newsletter is written by Vit Vanicek, one of our teachers here at the Tutorium. With Vit's advice, you're sure to succeed in the classroom and beyond

As the semester goes on, you will be taking tests: in the IEP courses, it is usual to take around four tests in each class! Tests during a course are to be expected, but how do you read the scores?

In “My Grades” on Blackboard, you will see an overall score from a test. Your teacher may give you an S or a U or just a number (75% and up is S). This is, of course, important: you want to know how you’re doing on the tests! Maybe your teacher even gives you details on how you did.

But test scores are not there to make you nervous, happy, or sad. Instead, you should look at test scores as a reminder. How are you working on your English skills in class? How are you practicing outside class? If your test scores are Satisfactory, it means you are doing things right, and you should continue.

If your test scores are low, however, it is time to take action: you need to do something. The key is not always to “study more.” It may be that how you practice, especially outside of class, is not the best way to improve.

To change the way you study or practice, share with your classmates how you do homework or practice and listen to what they do. And if you don’t know where to start? Talk to your teacher. They can recommend what to do to succeed.

Test scores are not why you study—they are feedback on how your English skills are developing. So don’t worry about one bad test. One low test score will not cause you to fail the course or repeat the level! Your teacher is watching your progress—the test scores only confirm whether you are ready to move on to the next level, or next stage of your education, and remind you if your practice is successful.

The following section of the newsletter is written by one of our advisors here at the Tutorium. Our advisors are here to help answer questions and steer you toward the right path for you.

Are you looking to begin the application process, but you do not know where to start? Maybe you missed last week's University seminar, and now you feel completely lost. Well, take a deep breathe! Here are some tips to help you.

1. Review the information for international students at all the schools you are interested in.

2. At all universities, you will need to do many different things: 

3. Make an Excel doc with tabs to keep yourself organized. 

Are you worried about your upcoming midterm exams? Are you feeling a little bit frazzled lately?

This is a good time to review everything you have learned so far.  Check out the study tips on these websites.

 Here are some of the best tips:

You will have midterm exams in your classes next week (October 6 - 9).

You will have your midterm break (No IEP or APS Classes) October 13th-17th.

We wish you the best of luck on your tests. You can do it!

Email questions to tutorium@uic.edu.
Or contact us to schedule a virtual or in-person meeting.