ESL (English as a Second Language)
Our Aim
Grace Community Church provides English classes to immigrants from a variety of countries to help improve their language skills and to assist them in adjusting to American culture. We want to extend our hospitality to immigrants in Arlington by getting to know them, assisting them in their needs, and extending a general welcome to them until they feel they are “no longer strangers” in our community.
Our staff
Our staff consists of volunteer workers who want to show the love of God to immigrants by serving them in this way.
Registration
Registration is January 21st, 2008 for the Spring semester classes. During registration, students will be tested to see which level of class they should attend. The classes are free. Childcare is provided for the children of students attending class (ages 3 and up). New students may enroll on any Monday evening. Transportation is provided (limited seating) for students with no car.
Hours of Classes
There are three levels of classes offered: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.
Regular classes are held on Monday nights and Thursday nights, starting at 7:00 p.m. and ending at 8:30 p.m.
Monday lessons focus on "grammer and vocabulary".
Thursday lessons focus on "Conversation Practice".
Calendar of Classes
Classes run from early September through the end of November for the Fall session, with a break for the month of December. Spring classes are offered beginning in early January and ending at the end of May.
Free Citizenship Classes
Monday evening 7pm-8:30pm
Wednesday afternoon 12pm-2pm
Thursday evening 7pm-8:30pm
Our Students
We offer English classes to students from any country who speak any language. The students enrolled this semester come from Indonesia, Taiwan, China, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Brazil, Bosnia, Bulgaria, El Salvador, Cuba, Argentina, Guatemala, Venezuela, and Mexico.
Topics
Some topics students will learn about in our classes are:
Introducing Yourself
Getting Around Town
Housing
Food
Using English at Work
Health
How to deal with Emergencies
Recreation
Shopping
Friends and Neighbors
Telephone conversations
Finances / Money
Community Rules and Regulations
School
Family
Strategies for Smooth (Polite) Communication
Idioms
Giving Information
School Rules and Regulations
Rights and Responsibilities
How to Agree and Disagree Politely
How to Interrupt Politely
How to Express Opinions Politely
(And More!) |
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Volunteer Opportunities:
Teachers:
No previous teaching experience required, just a measure of patience and interest in other cultures.
Assistant Teachers:
If you’re not comfortable with teaching on your own, this is a wonderful way to become familiar with the program.
Substitute Teachers:
Volunteers are always needed when our teachers must be away.
Childcare Workers:
If you enjoy children, imagine getting to meet little ones from all over the world!
Administrative Support:
Our administrative team often needs help in setting up for classes, keeping up with paperwork, helping to register students, etc., etc.
Friend to Immigrants:
Many immigrants just want an American friend who is patient when talking to them, interested in them and can help them along in their adjustment to our culture.
How to be Involved:
You can begin serving Internationals today! Simply call the church office and we'll tell you how to visit our next ESL class and observe this ministry in action. Brad Evans, our ESL Program director, will be happy to help answer your questions and help you find a place of service that will not only bless our International community, but bless you greatly as well! |