Learn to share language skills in English tutoring workshop

Staff Reports

Americorps hosts a free workshop to train English as a second language tutors, 2-4 p.m. Saturday, at the Douglas County Public Library in Minden.

There is no need to speak a foreign language, and no experience is necessary. All materials will be provided.

The nonprofit ESL In-Home Program of Northern Nevada pairs trained community volunteers with students. Tutors provide one-on-one instruction in the students' homes at no cost.

Florence Phillips, a former Peace Corps volunteer, started a home-based tutoring program in Carson City five years ago to teach people to speak, read and write in English.

The program has 115 adults on a waiting list.

"Given that the Hispanic population is our country's largest minority group, it is not surprising that we see a strong demand for ESL services in our community," said Phillips, executive director of the ESL In-Home Program.

"By helping Spanish-speaking adults gain English language skills, our community benefits with a stronger workforce and residents who now have the opportunity to work toward their high school equivalency education."

The program works well for people who cannot afford to pay for classes or who cannot meet the schedule provided by traditional classes.

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

More information on the ESL In-Home Program at eslinhomenv@aol.com or call director Florence Phillips at 888-2021.

Teri Vance of the Nevada Appeal contributed to this article.