English as a Second Language (ESL) Education
English as a Second Language
Learning English is one of the most challenging and essential tasks for newly-arrived refugees. It is the first step to becoming self-sufficient, and the best way to become integrated in one’s community. Getting a job, communicating with neighbors, or accessing important services such as the police or fire department is difficult without English language skills.
Our ESL Classes
Are you a recent immigrant or do you know someone who is a recent refugee or asylee and would like to learn English?
We offer English language classes (ESL) for adult learners in Vancouver. Classes are tuition-free and open to refugees, asylees and people who qualify as:
- TANF or RCA recipient
- Survivor of trafficking
- Amerasian
- Cuban-Haitian entrant
- Afghan Humanitarian Parolee
- Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee
- Iraqi Special Immigrant and eligible family
- Afghan Special Immigrant and eligible family
These small group, face-to-face classroom sessions include opportunities for conversation. Classes happen daily at our offices on Main Street near downtown Vancouver. Materials are provided.
Our current schedule includes two levels of classes:
- ESL
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday — 12:30 to 3:30 PM - Beginning ESL Literacy
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday — 3:45 to 6:45 PM
Regular attendance at each of the four sessions is expected.
Learning English will change your future for the better. Don’t wait, join us today!
Contact us at ndychko@lcsnw.org or call 360-787-4739.
Tutoring Services
LCSNW Vancouver offers English as a Second Language (ESL) tutoring services to meet the needs of refugees who are unable to attend ESL classes. A tutor works one-on-one with a student, providing an individualized curriculum that suits their specific needs. Many students with ESL tutors are working adults or stay-at-home and would not otherwise have access to learning English.
How to help
We are looking for volunteer tutors to provide online or in-person ESL classes to refugees for 3 hours per week. We ask both the tutor and the client to commit to this schedule for at least 6 months, or ideally a year. Our clients are all motivated and studious adults.
Materials, training and support are provided. Teaching experience of any kind is preferred. As an ESL volunteer, you will truly make a difference in the lives of the students you teach! For more information on tutoring call us at 360-787-4727 or email abrandt@lcsnw.org
We ask volunteers and students to open a gmail account in order to use the Google Meet remote meeting platform. Volunteers also need to fill out an application form, sign some documents (Tutor-Student Agreement, ESA Non-disclosure of Confidential Information Agreement) and consent to a background check.