Make a Difference publishes the wish lists of non-profit organizations in our community. If you have a wish list you’d like to share, contact Meredith Moss: MMoss@coxohio.com
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A dedicated group of local volunteers are busy teaching English as a second language to folks from more than 50 different countries including China, Vietnam, Burundi, Congo, Rwanda, Nepal, Haiti, Turkey, Eritrea, Sudan, Iraq, Kenya, Colombia, Mexico and Guatemala.
The ESOL program, held at St. John’s United Church of Christ in downtown Dayton, is open to all refugees and immigrants and is run by the Adult Education Program of Miami Valley Career Technology Center in Clayton. ESOL stands for English for Speakers of Other Languages. Last year the school enrolled 400 students.
“All of the ESOL classes are instructed by our volunteer base of roughly 50 people,” says ESOL coordinator Dani Heeter, who says the volunteer teachers do not need a background in teaching or to be certified in ESOL. “We have a set curriculum for each class and any prospective teacher can come to observe classes before he or she teaches.”
Six classes with five-to-six different levels are regularly scheduled at St. John’s and students are assigned based on their skill level. Other ESOL locations range from Huber Heights to Fairborn, and times range from morning and afternoon to evening.
“Our students face many obstacles including learning English,” Heeter says. “Our school is a safe place for refugees and immigrants to form friendships as well as improve their English.”
School is held on weekday mornings with the doors opening earlier to allow students a chance to have an hour of computer lab. There are also some afternoon classes covering topics such as citizenship, employability and GED and a book club.
The school provides a free workbook for students and the church also donates some school supplies but Heeter says they are always in need of more items:
Here is what they can use:
- Notebooks (new and used)
- Pencils
- Erasers
- Disinfectant spray and wipes
- Paper on a roll
- Used books
- Dictionaries, especially picture dictionaries
- Volunteers
Drop-offs can be made at St. John’s UCC at 515 E. Third St., Dayton, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. but you’re asked to call first to be certain someone is there to receive them.
Anyone needing assistance with their citizenship can call to make an appointment or attend the citizenship class with EL/Civics Coordinator, Kelly Musser.
For more information contact Dani Heeter at (937) 461-3332 or e-mail her at dheeter@mvctc.com
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