English Language Institute at Bellevue College

10/02/2026

Starting Fall Quarter with connection and community!

Our ELA and ELI students headed to the Bellevue College Involvement Fair to learn about clubs, campus resources, meet other students, and explore ways to get involved on campus. They even made connections with students from shared countries and cultures!

Back in class, students talked about what they discovered and which clubs they might like to join. One student said, “I’m so glad we went! I thought I was the only one at BC from my country.”

A great start to the quarter! 💙

07/24/2026

Missed Throwback Thursday so here’s Flashback Friday! Missing all these faces!

06/17/2026

Pssttt… it’s this lady’s workiversery! 15 years at BC! But did you know she hails from Finland and started here as an ELI student herself??

Ana Carson came to BC in fall 2007, finished ELI, got her AA at BC, BA at eastern at Bellevue and then Matesol at UW. She then went full circle and came back to start working at BC in 2011.

And if you know Ana, you probably know her love of cats. She is a mom to 9 of them! Many are rescues that she takes care of.

If you see her in the hall, say hi and wish her a happy workiversary!

06/12/2026

After spending part of the quarter learning about Japanese American incarceration during World War II, ELI students had the opportunity to attend a ceremony honoring Erin Shigaki’s art installation on campus. The event came after the artwork was vandalized and served as a reaffirmation of the college’s commitment to preserving both the piece and the history it represents.

For many students, it was a moving experience to connect what they had learned in class with a powerful work of public art and the stories it preserves. As we reflected on the consequences of fear, prejudice, and exclusion, we were reminded that remembering history is not enough. We must also recognize when its lessons remain relevant. Never again is now.

06/05/2026

Pssst did you know this guy has been teaching at Bellevue College for more than 20 years? The official number is 25. Ivan Breen started at BC in 1999! He was chair of the department for 11 years and carried it through the height of Covid.

In case you don’t already know, Ivan is not just an English teacher. He’s also an outdoor adventurer, has done lots of mountaineering and climbing, but more recently, he has also been into adventure bike touring, a.k.a. bikepacking.

On top of that, he’s a bit of a culinary explorer and loves to talk food!

If you see him in the hallway, congratulate him on his milestone (25 years)!

06/04/2026

06/03/2026

In the ELI program, International students are in class for more than four hours a day. They often have the same teacher for multiple quarters.

After that much time together, you almost become like family. Yesterday, ELI students caught up with their former teacher Ivan Breen, sharing some memories and just chatting about life. ☺️

05/22/2026

What a week! 🎉

ELI and ELA students had an amazing time at Bellevue College’s Exploring Pathways events this week! Students attended workshops like Peers on the Pathways and Job Fair Preparation, connected with panel speakers, explored different academic and career options, and practiced networking skills at the Job Fair.