English At Large Hosts Graduation Event for Local Learners

English At Large (EAL) recently hosted its 2nd Annual Learner Graduation to celebrate the achievements of local immigrants enrolled in its Tutoring Program. Hosted at the Lexington Historic Depot, the event featured a formal ceremony to acknowledge the efforts of 48 learner graduates from 9 different communities who completed more than 100 hours of English language instruction to support the achievement of their life goals.

The evening’s speakers included EAL tutor Denis Bradford and learners Olga Malynova of Lexington, who recently secured her first professional position in the U.S., and Adjo Zoumakpe of Bedford, who learned to read and write while enrolled in tutoring and also just passed the Citizenship Exam. Their stories were truly inspiring; each learner journey unique but made possible with the support of their EAL tutor.

Hicham Mouhsin, EAL Board President acknowledged the graduate learners in his remarks. “You have inspired the commitment of our board and our staff, the efforts of our volunteers and the support of our donors. You are the reason for our work and our mission and we could not be more proud of your accomplishments.”

Maureen Willis, EAL Executive Director offered this message to the tutors and all EAL volunteers. “Your spirit of community and dedication to your learners is the driving force behind the success of English At Large. We, together with the learners who lives you impact in so many ways, say thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Special thanks to refreshment donors Flatbread Pizza of Bedford, Food Link Arlington, Market Basket Supermarkets, Stop & Shop Lexington and Reading Cooperative Bank. Printing of the event program was donated by Standard Duplicating Machines of Andover.

EAL is a local nonprofit that provides individual and small group instruction through a volunteer network to adult immigrants and other newcomers who want to acquire English in order to adapt to life in the United States. Programs serve more than 500 learners in 21 communities each year, giving them the language skills they need to obtain a job or advance their career, enroll in school or training, obtain citizenship, support their children in school, and participate in community life. Learn more at www.englishatlarge.org.

View photos from the event at http://www.englishatlarge.org/events/2019-learner-graduation-event/