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WORD ~ ESL

WORD ~ ESL. 2023 E. Fulton St. Grand Rapids, MI. 49503 (616) 454 – 4874 scresl@att.net. History of the WORD ~ ESL. - Program began in 1998 - Need for English classes on the West side of Grand Rapids - Funded primarily by the Dominican Sisters of

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WORD ~ ESL

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  1. WORD ~ ESL 2023 E. Fulton St. Grand Rapids, MI. 49503 (616) 454 – 4874 scresl@att.net

  2. History of the WORD~ESL - Program began in 1998 - Need for English classes on the West side of Grand Rapids - Funded primarily by the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids - Moved to Dominican Sisters’ Campus in the fall of 2012.

  3. Program Development - Sr. Carmen Rostar became director in 2003 • Textbooks and reference • materials were updated • Relationships developed with • area colleges for tutors

  4. Student Population • Adults from 18 to 75 • Immigrants and refugees • Largely Hispanic population • Also students from Russia, • Bosnia, Africa and Vietnam • Includes doctors, nurses, • teachers, engineers, and • accountants

  5. Mission and Goals of the WORD~ESL - The WORD ~ESL program aims to provide the students with a safe, welcoming environment where we provide the basic English language skills they need to improve the quality of their lives and to become active members of our society. - Helps alleviate poverty - Increases community involvement

  6. Other Goals of the Program • - Provides necessary skills • to give students the full • advantage of employment • and educational • opportunities • - Helps students connect • with social agencies to • meet their needs • - Meets needs and stretch • students’ abilities • - Welcomes the strangers in • our community

  7. Tutors are the core of our Program Total volunteer force contributes to our program - They are committed and generous - Area college students add energy to the program and gain experience in the field of education - They make a difference in the lives of the students as they build on their literacy skills WORD ~ ESL Dominican Sisters

  8. Adult ESL Instruction • Students attend one class per week - Monday & Wednesday • 10:00 -11:30 a.m. • - Tuesday & Thursday • 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. - Two semesters of 14 to 18 weeks - Six week summer session

  9. Adult ESL Instruction • - One-on-onelessons • - Interaction with other • students and tutors • Emphasis on speaking, • listening, reading, and writing • Helps develop necessary life • skills to function on a daily • basis

  10. Advanced Conversation Group - Small discussion groups for more advanced students - Uses “Connect With English” video series - Provides students with real life situations such as leaving home, prejudice, and seeking higher education - Incorporates grammar, reading, conversation, and comprehension checks

  11. ESL Computer Lab - Computer lab can accommodate four student using various programs - Students gain computer skills and work at their own pace • Beginning students can review as much as they need to learn new vocabulary and concepts • Reinforces vocabulary, reading, • writing and comprehension

  12. Continued Development of the ESL Program • New site enables us to meet • groups as well as provide • private tutor space • (former piano practice rooms) - New textbooks and readers are provided - Computers in rooms as well as in the open space

  13. Social Activities - Fun while learning - Welcoming atmosphere for our adult learners - Sharing in holidays of various cultures

  14. Importance of Professional Development • - Professional development • of the tutors is crucial to • students’ growth • - Initial in-service provides • nine hours of professional • development - Grants enable tutors to participate in State conferences - On line tutor training also available - Resource material provides for professional growth

  15. Formation of the Advisory Board - Re-instituted in 2006 - Guides the ESL program through change - Offers recommendations for policy and procedures - Provides input for administration of the program

  16. Our Grants Primary support of Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids Others: Christian Brothers, Grand Rapids Foundation, State of Michigan

  17. Citizenship Classes Collaborating with WORD ~ ESL Dominican Sisters

  18. Citizenship Program One day a week for six weeks. Each class runs for two hours. - Must have permanent resident card for five years - Be able to speak, read and write in English - Offered at GRCC West Side Learning Corner - Follow-up clinic with professionals to complete citizenship forms

  19. Citizenship Program View our Power Point on the development of the Citizenship program at: grdominicans.org

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