My name is Ikramullah and I am a blind person currently residing in Karachi, Pakistan. I come from a poor family; my other two sisters are also blind. My father is a government servant that doesn’t make much money but manages our household along with our educational expenses. My dream is to have a career in computer science, and become a computer trainer for the blind. Unfortunately here in Pakistan as a blind individual, there is not a university that has proper accommodations for people majoring in computer science, so I am currently studying political science instead. My particulars are as followed: I have done my matriculation in 2008 and intermediate in 2010 from Ida Rieu School for the Blind and Deaf and I am now a student of Political Science at the University of Karachi. During my Graduation break, I did volunteer teaching. I have great interest in participating in informational workshops and seminars. I have even experienced participating in extracurricular activities, such as, singing competitions, cricket tournaments, and scouting. I have a great desire to gain the mobility training and live my life independently with confidence. I have a strong ambition to study abroad in the United States. I am interested in attending an ESL program (English as a second language) so that I can enhance my English skills in order to seek out higher education in the future, but scholarships or funding for educational purposes is a serious issue for me to fulfill my goals. The program I am familiar with is located in Indianapolis, Indiana through Indiana University of Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI.) Founded in 1961, ELS Language Centers are a group of private language schools that help millions of students from more than 140 countries significantly improve their English skills in the shortest time possible and prepare them for academic study at an American college or university. With more than 60 ELS locations available across 25 U.S. states, students are exposed to different cross-cultural ideas and influences that will deepen their English communication skills and cultural understanding. Learning from native speaking instructors, students study from a well-developed curriculum designed to enhance their fluency and accuracy and hone their skills in the areas of structure/speaking, conversation, and reading/writing. Students also select from a wide variety of elective classes to study topics pertinent to their individual interests, including TOEFL Preparation, Business English, Pronunciation, U.S. Culture, and Listening & Note Taking. As an added feature, more than 550 American colleges and universities accept the ELS Certification of English in place of the TOEFL in order to admit students to their undergraduate degree programs. ELS Language Centers is a proud member of AAIEP, the American Association of Intensive English Programs promoting professional standards and high-quality English program. The Semi-Intensive English Program is offered year-round with sessions beginning every four weeks. Students enrolled in the program attend classes during the morning only and receive 20 hours of classroom instruction per week. The Semi-Intensive Program is offered at 12 levels of instruction; Level 101 is the most elementary level while Level 112 is the most advanced. Upon their arrival at ELS, students are required to take a placement test to help determine the level best-suited to their ability. At the end of each 4-week session, students are evaluated for advancement to the next level based upon their academic improvement. All levels of instruction are designed to hone students’ academic skills in the fundamental areas of: Structure/Speaking Practice; and Conversation. To complement their studies, students are also provided with course work in the Multi-Media Lab (MML) to develop their skills using leading technology. Elective courses are also part of the curriculum for intermediate and advanced-level students to allow them to study topics pertinent to their interests while building their core language skills. The most popular elective courses offered are: TOEIC and TOEFL Preparation; American Film; U.S. Culture; Current Events; Grammar Review; and Listening & Note Taking. Classroom sizes range from 12 to 15 students per class. Every effort is made to keep classes at an ideal size for effective English language instruction. The application fee is $165 and the tuition fee is $1,410 per every four weeks. With living expenses set aside. All of this information I provided can be found at http://www.applyesl.com/school.asp?Sid=0114600 As a blind individual living in Pakistan, it is very difficult to receive proper accommodations and training to complete educational needs. I strongly feel I would greatly benefit from this English program considering the fact I would constantly be exposed to English speakers, experience American culture, and be given the accommodations and confidence necessary to be successful as a blind person. I hope that you would definitely consider my application and provide me with the chance to empower myself so I can better support my family. Sincerely, Ikramullah khaskeli Email: id.ikramullah@gmail.com Phone Number: +923433379443 Address: 222 223 Al Waheed Arcade, sector 2d Nazami Road Lines Area Karachi, Pakistan