English as a Second Language

Program Overview

The English as a Second Language Program is designed to provide language skills and support services to non-native speakers to improve their conversation skills, increase vocabulary, learn idioms and explore U.S. culture. The services offered within the program enable students to make the transformation from vulnerable newcomers to confident English speakers with better employment opportunities and a greater sense of self-sufficiency.

In order to provide the consistency necessary to develop language proficiency, the program runs continuously from September through June. The curriculum is designed to help non-native speakers improve their conversation skills, increase vocabulary, learn idioms and explore U.S.culture. We offer small, friendly morning and evening classes in a supportive environment to help students achieve their goals. Students are assessed by our ESL Director at the beginning of the term, and then placed into small classes (1-6 students) depending on their ability. Students attend classes two days per week for two hours each session. During the two hour session, there is a 15 break in instruction, during which time all students engage in group conversation.

Cost Info

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

MY NAME IS YORLENY AND I'M PROUD TO BE A PART OF THE ESL GROUP. MY STORY IN THIS COUNTRY IS ONE
BEFORE I WENT TO THE CONNECTION AND A DIFFERENT ONE AFTER THAT. WHEN I CAME HERE, I DIDN'T KNOW THE CULTURE, THE LANGUAGE OR THE CUSTOMS. IT WAS A HARD TIME. I FELT FRUSTRATED AND THIS AFFECTED MY FAMILY DIRECTLY. OUR LIFE WAS STRESSFUL AND SAD. WE WERE ISOLATED. IT WAS A HARD TIME FOR ME TO COMMUNICATE AT THE SCHOOL, THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE AND EVERYWHERE ELSE. AFTER A LOVELY SENIOR CITIZEN LADY, CALLED JOSEPHINE, RECOMMENDED THAT I TAKE ENGLISH CLASSES HERE, I DECIDED TO FOLLOW HER ADVICE AND FROM MY FIRST STEP IN THIS INSTITUTION, I FELT MYSELF AT HOME. ASSADA AND KATHERINE FROM THE FRONT DESK ARE THE NICEST LADIES WHO CAN HELP YOU WITH INFORMATION AND MY ACTUAL TEACHER JEAN IS THE BEST TEACHER IN MY WORLD BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T JUST TEACH ME ENGLISH, SHE HELPS ME WITH THE LANGUAGE AND MAYBE MORE IMPORTANTLY SHE HELPS ME TO ASSIMILATE THE CULTURE AND THE CUSTOMS. THE CONNECTION HELPS ME GET CONFIDENT IN MYSELF, TO BELIEVE IN THE GOOD INTENTION FROM THE PEOPLE AND HOW TO INTERACT WITH THE AMERICANS. HERE AT THE CONNECTION, I HAVE A SENSE OF BELONGING TO SOMETHING. I HAVE MY LITTLE FAMILY HERE. THIS IS A SECOND HOUSE. I'M THANKFUL FOR THE EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT I HAVE RECEIVED HERE. NOW MY LIFE IS REALLY DIFFERENT. I CAN BE INVOLVED IN MY CHILDREN'S SCHOOL, I CAN GO TO THE DOCTOR WITHOUT STRESS, AT THE BANK, ANYWHERE. ACTUALLY, I HAVE HAD THE GOOD EXPERIENCE TO HELP SOME AMERICANS TRANSLATE WHEN THEY NEED TO COMMUNICATE WITH HISPANIC PEOPLE OR VICE VERSA. I FEEL BETTER BECAUSE I'M MORE USEFUL TO SOCIETY. I HAVE A LIMITED BUDGET, BUT THIS HAS NOT BEEN A BIG PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP THAT I CAN APPLY FOR. THIS IS POSSIBLE THANKS TO THE GOOD HEARTS OF THE DONORS.