This article originally appeared in the summer 2014 Harker Quarterly.

This past spring, current and alumni families sponsored receptions in cities around the world to get the word out about the school’s long-running and highly successful English Language Institute (ELI).

Held on both the lower and upper school campuses, ELI provides overseas students with the opportunity to learn and practice their English skills, enabling many participants to go on to attend top American and international schools.

The receptions provided an opportunity for interested families to meet both Anthony Wood, ELI director, and Joe Rosenthal, Harker’s executive director of advancement, and learn about the features and benefits of the program. In March and April, ELI receptions took place in Russia, Turkey, China, Korea, Taiwan and Japan.

Rosenthal, who directed the school’s former elementary boarding program for 20 years, is a frequent guest lecturer to the ELI program on the topic of studying in the United States.

“The ELI receptions are a wonderful way to get the word out about the quality of our program,” he said. Last summer, more than 60 students enrolled in the secondary division and a record-breaking 55 enrolled in the primary division.

New to the program this year will be a “Very Interesting Places” (VIP) tour. The optional VIP offering, available to all ELI students (ages 6-16), will take place at the conclusion of the program’s regular five-week academic session. The tour will take students around Silicon Valley and the Bay Area to visit theme parks, museums, companies, school campuses and more. It will be capped off with an overnight trip to Yosemite.