ESL Program

Today I attended an orientation for volunteer tutors for the English as a Second Language (ESL) program. In March I will receive 18 hours of training and then be matched with an adult student who wants to learn English. We will work together, one on one, face to face, for just over one year.

I am very excited to begin this program. First of all, I am very interested in how humans learn language. I’m fascinated by children of immigrants who learn perfect accent-less English so quickly, while their parents struggle with a heavy accent. I’m so jealous of those children! If I knew what I know now, I would have certainly raised bi-lingual children! Second, since I’ve spent the last 4 years of my life seriously studying French, I know how difficult, and sometimes discouraging it is when I feel like I am making very little progress. I will be very compassionate and understanding towards my student. I know it’s not easy learning a language as an adult. I will be his or her biggest fan, cheering each and every advancement, no matter how small! Last of all, I hope this training will make me a better conversation partner for my French friends and somehow help me become a better French as a Second Language student.