New Neighbors -- English Classes

We offer two twelve-week,ninety-hour terms a year. English classes, from beginning to advanced, meetthree mornings a week and childcare is provided during class. Familyliteracy activities are included during regular class times.  A lowfee of $100 covers all adult ESL classes in a term.  Childcare isprovided for a charge of $100 for the first child and $25 for each additionalchild.

Fall 2010 Classes: September 22 - December 6, 2010

• Curriculum: We focus on delivering effective instruction because we respect the seriousness of our new neighbors' need to learn English. To maximize learning, we follow a carefully structured and linguistically sound curriculum. Students are grouped by proficiency in English, and we use a rich selection of teaching materials—textbooks, audiotapes, software, and assessment tools.
  
  Fundamental language skills of listening, reading, speaking, and writing are integrated into each unit of study. The sequence of instruction is: new topics are introduced in the context of conversations, grammar  points are explained, skills are developed through exercises with repetition and variation, and fluency is enhanced through free discussion.
• Teachers and Students: To ensure the highest quality instruction, our volunteer teachers are trained in methods, materials, and underlying theory of our ESL course. All of our teachers have college degrees and many are professional educators. There is a well-coordinated team of teachers for each of the nine levels of classes.
  
  Our students come from all over the world--Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and the Pacific Rim. The educational backgrounds of our students are equally as diverse, ranging from no schooling to graduate degrees.

• Accountability and Achievement: By all measures, student achievement and satisfaction are high. To assess student achievement and effectiveness of instruction, we use a combination of quantitative and qualitative tools: placement tests, pre- and post-achievement tests, evaluation surveys, and personal stories.
  
  On average, student test scores improve 40-45% from the beginning to the end of the ESL course. [endif] [endif][endif]By all measures, student achievement andsatisfaction are high. To assess student achievement and effectiveness ofinstruction, we use a combination of quantitative and qualitative tools:placement tests, pre- and post-achievement tests, evaluation surveys, andpersonal stories. 
  
  On average, student test scores improve 40-45% fromthe beginning to the end of the ESL course.

• Computer Center and Library: Instructional software is used to supplement and reinforce our basic curriculum. In the computer center, students use interactive media with sound, pictures, and printed text to improve their skills in listening, reading, speaking, and writing English. Students work at their own pace on the computers while teachers provide individual help as needed. For many, there is the additional benefit of an opportunity to use computers for the first time.
  
  Our ESL library offers a carefully selected collection of books, electronic media, and tactile materials to enhance instruction. Students may borrow books for themselves and their children. [endif] [endif][endif]Instructional software is used to supplement andreinforce our basic curriculum. 
  
  In thecomputer center, students use interactive media with sound, pictures, andprinted text to improve their skills in listening, reading, speaking, andwriting English. Students work at their own pace on the computers whileteachers provide individual help as needed. For many, there is the additionalbenefit of an opportunity to use computers for the first time. 
  
  Our ESLlibrary offers a carefully selected collection of books, electronic media, andtactile materials to enhance instruction. Students may borrow books forthemselves and their children.