Inclusive Adult ESL Program
Arlington Heights Memorial Library, Ill.
Innovation Synopsis
Comprehensive ESL program offered to residents at all English levels. Responding to the constant increase of new immigrants in our community, we developed a computer and volunteer-based, blended learning ESL program available 64 hours weekly. In addition to improving language skills, we help participants acclimate to American culture.
Challenge/Opportunity
Non-Native-English speaking residents in Arlington Heights, Illinois, represent a variety of educational, vocational, and linguistic backgrounds. The challenges for them involve assimilation into the American culture in addition to improving their English. First generation adults need free, high quality ESL services with flexible hours offered all year long to reach their individual goals, which can include attaining citizenship, professional certification, and career planning. For those already established in the US, we offer regularly scheduled programs such as conversation classes at all levels, book discussions and one-on-one tutoring with highly qualified tutors. Assistance with simple daily-life issues are also addressed.
Key Elements of Innovation
We created an adult ESL program designed to serve the specific needs of our diverse community. New students are assessed for English skills (vocabulary, grammar, listening) and an individual study plan follows. Depending on skills and personal goals, students use computer software, participate in different level conversation classes, book discussions and receive one-on-one tutoring on a weekly schedule. The ESL/Literacy Office monitored by staff includes 30+ English teaching software programs available on eight computers. We began an evening ESL writing class for advanced level students meeting once a month and lessons and homework are completed online.
Achieved Outcomes
In addition to the hundreds of personal success stories, we created a comfortable and trusting environment where our adult students can ask questions freely and express their opinions. Our staff and 40 dedicated ESL volunteers help newcomers integrate into our culture in our own community. We form life-long relationships; we teach them how to access resources available to them in the community as they also become lifetime library users with their families. We treat everyone with respect and dignity and carefully guide them through their English learning journeys. With helping them to assimilate and prosper, we keep our community healthy.
