LVGW Quarterly Newsletter

June 2024

Provides social and economic empowerment through culturally compassionate English language education.

Dear LVGW Community:

This Spring semester, staff and teachers had the privilege of welcoming and serving 182 students ages 18 to 74, from nearly 40 countries, speaking over 20 different languages! Our tutors led an additional 5 workshops on resume writing, job interview skills and American English pronunciation.

Virtually 100% of our students improved their English according to our class evaluation results and they appreciated LVGW's service tremendously. See student testimonials below in this newsletter.

Students and their families, together with their tutors and teachers, enjoyed a community field trip to the Worcester Historical Museum to learn about their new city and its history. Thank you to our friends at the Worcester Historical Museum for hosting us.

We are excited to welcome students back for our summer semester (June 10 - August 16). Register in person by June 6th to join us.

Sincerely,

Ping

Pingsheng Chen

Executive Director

pchen@lvgw.org

Welcome & Farewell

Join us in welcoming our new English teacher: Ashley Frankian!

With over two decades of teaching experience and a diverse educational background, Ashley brings expertise and passion to the classroom. She has worked with a wide range of students, specializing in Speech/Language Pathology, Special Education, Spanish, and ESOL. Her extensive knowledge allows her to effectively cater to the diverse needs of her students, ensuring their academic success and personal growth. Ashley is fluent in Spanish and has firsthand experience living and studying abroad in Spain, which further deepens her connection with ESOL students. For the past nine years, Ashley has been dedicated to working with adult English language learners, empowering them to achieve their goals. Guiding and inspiring students to reach their fullest potential is not just her profession, but her greatest passion.

Farewell to one of our beloved teachers: Robert Peters!

A meaningful message from one of Robert's students during his retirement party on April 13, 2024: "We don't know how to thank you for your very important help in our training AND our adaptation in a country where language is an obligation. With each passing day, you are not only a teacher but also a mentor." We'll miss you, Robert!

New Tutoring Opportunity

Small Group Tutoring

Many of our students want to practice English while also connecting with their peers. Consider supporting a small group of 3-5 ESOL students as a volunteer tutor. Contact our program manager to learn more: AAndrews@lvgw.org.

English & Community Resources

News For You: an online weekly news source for adult learners.

The site offers easy-to-read news stories that can help students learn to read, write, speak, and understand the English language. Each week, learners get a variety of high-interest articles in simple English. Teachers can receive lesson plans, reproducible exercises, discussion prompts, and more! Seven new stories are posted each Wednesday, along with audio exercises, vocabulary, a crossword puzzle, a word search, and a poll. You can access News For You by going to:

Resources for Students Webpage

“News For You” Is Back!

We are excited to announce tutors and their students can once again access this valuable learning tool.

Helping Hands

Don't forget, the Worcester Public Library is a good source of information for many community services ranging from mental health to food insecurity. The WPL has also hired a social worker with regular office hours to assist patrons. No appointment needed! https://www.mywpl.org/?q=article/social-services-worcester

College for Free!

Community college is now FREE in Massachusetts for residents 25 or older who are either citizens or permanent residents! Community college students who meet these criteria can now earn certificates or associate degrees at all the community colleges in Massachusetts for free!

The program is called MassReconnect.

Please learn more about it here: https://www.mass.edu/osfa/programs/massreconnect.asp

Student Accomplishments

Congratulations to our LVGW student Rafaela!

Rafaela (center) was presented with the Outstanding Student Award at MCAE's Network 2024 Conference. She was recognized for her drive and determination in building her English skills and working to bring her professional training

from Brazil to a career in the United States.

CONGRATUTIONS, RAFAELA!

Congratulations, New Citizens!

Don't forget, summer is the only time we offer our special Civics and Citizenship course. 100% of students from last summer's class passed their test, and eleven LVGW students have become US citizens in the last year. We're so proud of you all!

Student Testimonials

"Great experience of my life, I never thought I would be able

to speak English one day, for me it is a dream coming true!"

"LVGW program has helped me lose my fear of communicating and has given me courage, strength to understand that the barriers of not wanting to speak were put up by myself. I am very grateful to God and to you because I know

that I will be of great help to other people."

"I found the LVGW program incredible. There are many people who want to learn English but don't have enough time to dedicate themselves or don't know about this program and don't know where to turn. But I'm very satisfied with what I've learned so far and I hope to improve my English more and more even though it's so difficult." 😅

"Thank you to all of you who created this program!"

Support LVGW!

Make a Difference.

Volunteer at LVGW!

Donate to Literacy Volunteers Today!

Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester (LVGW) is an affiliate

of Literacy Volunteers of Massachusetts.

Literacy Volunteers of

Greater Worcester

3 Salem Square, Suite 332

Worcester, MA 01608

info@lvgw.org | 508-754-8056

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