Tutors needed for ESL program

Staff Reports

The English as a Second Language In-Home Program hosts a free tutor training workshop, 2-4 p.m. Saturday, at the Douglas County Public Library, 1625 Library Lane, Minden. Light snacks will be served.

Join community volunteer tutors and learn how to teach basic English to adults on a one-to-one basis. There are more than 75 adults in Minden, Gardnerville, Carson City and Dayton who are eager to learn to speak, read, and write English.

Instructional materials and training is provided at no charge by the ESL In-Home Program. No experience nor foreign language is necessary. Commitment is 1-2 hours per week. Reserve a seat at (775) 888-2021 or eslinhomenv@aol.com

Program information at www.eslinhome.org

About ESL In-Home Program of Northern Nevada:

The nonprofit ESL In-Home Program of Northern Nevada utilizes trained community volunteers to provide one-on-one English instruction to non-English speaking adults in the students' homes at no cost.

Instruction is given to people who are unable to attend regular classroom settings. This learning process quickly empowers these individuals to become more productive members of their local communities and ultimately enriches the cultural diversification within communities.

The English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) In-Home Program of Northern Nevada was created in 2004 in Carson City as a supplementary service for non-English speaking adults to become more independent. The program is a 100 percent volunteer service organization with the purpose of educating a segment of Nevada's immigrant population in basic English.

The program initially had one tutor teaching six students. There are now 94 community volunteer tutors teaching 163 students. In the past six years, more than 400 adults have been helped through the program., but there is a waiting list of more than 110 people in Northern Nevada who want to learn English.

The program is in Carson City, Washoe, Douglas, Churchill and Lyon counties.

The ESL In-Home Program of Northern Nevada assists people by teaching them in their homes, at no cost, on a one-to-one basis by community volunteer tutors.

The curriculum is based on the "Laubach Way to Speaking, Reading and Writing" method used worldwide by organizations such as the Peace Corps.

Some of the students' goals are to become a U.S. citizen, find a job or advance in current job, obtain a GED diploma, learn to communicate with their children's teachers and medical personnel, provide help with children's homework, read stories in English to their children and grandchildren. Since 2004, 59 ESL students have attained U.S. citizenship.

By learning English, students become more self-sufficient and able to shop in English-speaking establishments. As the elders progress in the language and help children with their homework, it provides motivation for the children.

The ESL In-Home Program offers the opportunity for businesses to educate their employees for the cost of books.

Donations are needed to purchase instructional material. A set of books for tutor and student cost $60. The ESL In-Home is a non-funded 501©(3) non-profit program. Donations are tax-deductible. Information, www.eslinhome.org, eslinhomenv@aol.com or (775) 888-2021.