The new CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP) at Hostos, moved to a new building at 590 Exterior Street

The CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP) at Hostos, moved to a new building at 590 Exterior Street (East 150th Street between Exterior Street and River Avenue) by the Bronx Terminal Market.

The move began last month, and classes start the week of Aug. 25.

CLIP, a comprehensive English as a second language program, has been located in Hostos’ East Academic Complex’s C Building since its inception in Spring 1999. The new location is next to the Hostos Center for Workforce Development & Continuing Education, which opened in 2012.

Both of these moves have come as a result of Hostos’ increased impact in the Bronx.

“We are delighted that we will be able to serve more students who need the resources that this important program provides,” Hostos

President Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said. “CLIP not only serves individuals, it helps to rebuild communities in the Bronx and across New York City.”

CLIP was launched by The City University of New York (CUNY) in 1995 and is offered at nine CUNY colleges. It is an intensive ESL program offering 25 hours of weekly instruction to entering freshmen at CUNY colleges. The program also accepts students who have failed one semester of ESL at a two-year CUNY college or those referred by a senior college.

The new CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP) at Hostos, moved to a new building at 590 Exterior Street

CLIP will continue to provide accelerated, intensive instruction in language skills for new immigrants, remaining a beacon of hope for students like Shalim López, a CLIP alumna and Hostos’ 2014 Valedictorian.

“The CLIP Program made a great impact on my life. Not only did it teach me English, it helped me forge valuable friendships. CLIP gave me the confidence to fulfill my dream of earning a college degree,” López said.

In addition to CLIP, a new Hostos Community Language Program will offer three ESL classes for new language learners in the CUNY system who lack basic English communication skills. This program includes volunteer language speakers, in addition to experienced ESL instructors, who will act as conversation partners to students. Students will also have access to computer-assisted learning and other support services.
 
Fatiha Makloufi , the Director of CLIP and Hostos’ CUNY Start Programs, said the move is a big step for Hostos.

“This new location will be able to accommodate the growing College Transition Programs at Hostos, which serve developmental and remedial CUNY-admitted students who need additional support prior to officially enrolling at Hostos,” Makloufi said. “This will also help serve the local and surrounding youth and adult communities aspiring to better their academic skills in order to take advantage of the numerous associate and certificate programs.”

Makloufi added the new location will serve approximately 450 students, including 275 CLIP students, 100 CUNY Start students, and 75 new students enrolled in the new Hostos Community Language Program, slated to start in the fall.

About Hostos Community College
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change that has been transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities since 1968. It serves as a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, as well as a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs. The College’s unique "Student Success Coaching Unit" provides students with individualized guidance and exemplifies its emphasis on student support services.

Hostos offers 29 associate degree programs and five certificate programs that facilitate easy transfer to CUNY's four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. The College has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. Hostos is part of The City University of New York (CUNY), the nation's leading urban public university, which serves more than 480,000 students at 24 colleges.