Greetings from ESL and Immigrant Ministries
Speak Easy
Newsletter from English as a Second Language and Immigrant Ministries
Summer 2019
Volunteer Spotlight

By Lowell George, Volunteer at First Presbyterian Church of Arlington

I started volunteering as a teacher a couple of years ago and each semester I enjoy it more and more. The classes and the students give me something to look forward to on Monday nights and I have learned just as much from my students as they have learned from our teachers. Getting to know each student, their home country, and a little bit about their lives here has helped make me a more compassionate person and I've greatly enjoyed seeing them grow into more confident English speakers. These classes help them be more engaged in their communities and the US as a whole. I love seeing the students become friends, with English as the common thread. Volunteering as a teacher at the First Presbyterian Church has also pushed me to consider a career in ESL education. This is a wonderful program and it provides a tremendous service to our community. 
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Training Opportunities in August and September

We invite new volunteers from ESLIM's member programs to join us for teacher training! The training is also beneficial for returning volunteers who have not attended the new-teacher training in the past, as well as veteran volunteers looking for a refresher. 

Trainer Lauren Lang equips participants with strategies and activities that they can implement in their classroom, regardless of the curriculum they will use. The activities can be adapted for different topics and levels.

Dulin United Methodist Church in Falls Church will host the training on Saturday, August 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

The training will be repeated at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Ashburn on Saturday, September 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  

Lunch and light refreshments will be provided.

Don't miss this informative and fun opportunity! Advance registration is required by emailing office@eslim.org with your name,  phone number, teaching site, and desired training date. 
Teaching Tip: "My Day" Fly Swatter Game

If you're looking for a way to encourage conversation and collaboration in your classroom, the "my day" fly swatter game could be just the answer. Although this particular version focuses on daily activities, you could modify the activity to fit different topics and levels. You could also select pictures more appropriate for adults.  

 

ESLIM's program administrator, Connie Hauer, recommended this game. Do you have a favorite classroom activity to share? Please email office@eslim.org. 
Communities We Serve

Do you know ESLIM has locations across Northern Virginia and D.C.? We're in Annandale, Arlington, Ashburn, Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fairfax, Falls Church, Leesburg, Manassas, Springfield, Vienna, Washington, D.C., and Woodbridge. See our fall class schedule for details.
Three Ways to Get Involved

1. Volunteer opportunities are available for the fall semester! No teaching experience or foreign language skills are needed--just a willingness to share one morning, afternoon or evening a week, plus some time for lesson planning. Semesters typically last for 10 to 12 weeks. See our website for more information and submit a volunteer application form today.   

2. Did you know you can assist ESLIM just by shopping online? Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible AmazonSmile purchases when you shop at smile.amazon.com. Simply search for "English as a Second Language and Immigrant Ministries" and select it as your charity.
3. Your donation to ESLIM helps us reach out to prospective students and train volunteer teachers. It also allows our member programs to spend more on essentials such as books and supplies. To donate via PayPal or find instructions for mailing a check, please visit our website.      
About ESLIM

We promote and support the teaching of English to adult immigrants of all nationalities in Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia and welcome their active participation in our community.

To support the efforts of our member churches, ESLIM handles a variety of tasks in a centralized way. Its activities include the following:
  • Advertising for, placing, and training volunteer teachers
  • Advertising the English classes in foreign-language media
  • Maintaining a phone line for inquiries from prospective students and volunteers
  • Producing the Speak Easy e-newsletter two or three times per year
  • Maintaining a website that features the class schedule, a variety of resources for teachers, instructions for making donations, and information for churches considering an ESL ministry
ESL & Immigrant Ministries | office@eslim.org | www.eslim.org