Welcome to ESL!

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It is my pleasure to welcome you to the ESL Department. This may be the first time you have ever taken classes here, or you may have been learning English with us for quite a while. In either case, we want you to feel that you are part of an encouraging community of people who are learning together.

People who come to the United States from other countries bring their ideas, values, and a willingness to work hard in order to make their dreams come true. You help make this country a better place. We’re glad you are here, and we want you to succeed.

Our goal is to help you get the language and cultural skills you need to achieve your goals. You may wish to get a better education, a better job, or both. Perhaps you want to feel comfortable with American friends and daily life. Your children may be speaking more in English, and you want to keep up with them and help them with their school work. These are all important goals that we want to help you reach.

Our department offers different programs for different needs. You can take classes in ESL, Vocational ESL, TOEFL Preparation, and Citizenship Preparation. Also, you can benefit from counseling and career guidance as well as seminars and career conferences. Our well-equipped Language Learning Center will help you practice your English skills. You will learn more about your choices as you continue reading about our program.

I believe we have a very dedicated, skilled, and creative team of teachers, counselors and staff. We are working to provide personalized service, courses that are relevant to your needs, and teaching methods that will help you learn well. I trust that you, in turn, will do all you can to participate in class, study, and use your English in your daily life. Together, we can achieve great things!

 

Jody Fernando, M.A., M.Ed.
Director, English Language Learners