Teaching and learning English is an important and demanding activity at Brock. Each year, some 700 people from around the world make their way to Niagara to study in one of Brock’s ESL programs.

Learning a new language is difficult, just ask those from places like Iran, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, China, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Saudi Arabia. But on Thursday, July 7, it was time to have a little fun for about 350 students from the Spring/Summer English Language Program (SELP) and Intensive English Language Program (IELP).

The occasion was ESL Services Carnival 2016, and the crowd at Brock’s International Building spent part of a summer afternoon doing things like mugging for photos in funny hats and masks, jousting in an inflatable boxing ring, competing to pick up jelly beans with chopsticks, playing Giant Jenga or feasting on popcorn and cotton candy.

The event was planned as a surprise, and judging by the smiling faces, Carnival was a hit with the cosmopolitan crowd.

Stephanie Soccio, Associate Director of Student Affairs at ESL Services, said the day was made possible because of the hard work of 11 ESL student services staff and 15 instructors who volunteered.

“In ESL, the student experience entails engagement outside the classroom, and we’re always looking for fun, innovative ways to do this,” said Soccio. “Our hard working student service staff aim for enriching experiences.”