English Language and Nonproliferation Program (ELAN) Program

The English Language and Nonproliferation Program is an eight-week intensive program to enhance participants' language skills and expose them to the broader context of nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The program has two courses:

• ELAN for Export Controls
  sponsored by the Department of Energy
• BII-ELAN for Biosafety and Biosecurity
  sponsored by the U.S. Department of State through the Bioindustry Initiative (BII)

The ultimate goal is to facilitate participants' interaction with export control officials or bioscientists from other countries at international meetings and in cooperative projects, and to ensure optimum use of English-language documents and materials.

The course is divided into three modules:

• English for Nonproliferation
• Business English
• Listening, Speaking and Culture

Instruction is tailored to match the participants' language levels, interests, and needs, which are established at the beginning of the program. In addition to six hours of intensive daily language study, all ELAN participants are immersed in both formal and informal environments that reinforce speaking and listening skills.

Participants attend CNS staff lectures on nonproliferation issues, speak on an individual basis with experts in their respective fields, and, during the final week of the program, give one formal presentation to CNS staff.

Some may live with American families during their two months in Monterey, and all are invited to participate in ELAN-sponsored excursions and social events.

Ultimately, upon completion of the ELAN program, participants are better able to facilitate effective interaction with colleagues in international settings, their work and their social lives.

Special culture-oriented events are organized for the participants by the ELAN Program Coordinator and instructors. These activities, including excursions to San Francisco, Big Sur, Point Lobos, and the Steinbeck Museum, help the visiting fellows improve their conversational skills and broaden their knowledge of California and the United States.