We had our first ESL class today at the Hope Community Church in Amherst. 16 students, 10 volunteer teachers, tutors and child care providers and a whole mess of kids came together for a lovely afternoon of eating, socializing and studying English together.
I love this project and I love this group of people I have to say--everyone is there for really great reasons, and the sense of community is very strong. By all accounts the afternoon was very successful, with all participants excited to continue, and many students vowing to bring more friends next week!
We are using a very conversational basis for our instruction, using different themes like health and work to help students gain confidence in their daily lives. Asking open ended questions and listening carefully are key to the success of this model, because it helps root instruction in the experience and needs of the students. This also is important for building trust between volunteers and students, and creates a stronger sense of common purpose and the feeling that we're all learning together. I could really feel this in the room, even in our first class--the sense that we're in this together as a group.
Plus eating together really helps....And speaking of which, thanks to Bueno y Sano for providing scrumptious burritos. Thanks also to the Hope Community Church for providing space for our little band.
And can I say how cool it was that the child care team was all men?
So we're off to a great start. Classes are free, and take place every Sunday from 2pm to 4pm for 8 week sessions at the Hope Community Church in Amherst. If you are interested in participating as a student, teacher, tutor or child care provider, please contact Juan Carlos at jcaguilar@comcast.net or come to our next volunteer meeting this Wednesday April 2nd at 7pm at the La Fiorentina Bakery/Cafe in Northampton.
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