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SAN JUAN ISLAND LIBRARY |
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Email this page to a friend Related pagesSan Juan Island Library Web site Previous columnsFamily-friendly approach to learning English Book Learnin' Isn't All "How-To" Library's levy lid lift more than a decade old I never thought I'd say these words, but… Flags Will Be Flying High on the Fifth Teens learn and earn at the library It's a Book! It's Art! No, It's Book Arts! Library in the hands of Buffalo Design |
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Family-friendly approach to learning English
In a few weeks, the library will begin an ambitious project in collaboration with the Skagit Valley College’s San Juan Center. Starting on September 20th, the college will be holding ESL (English as a Second Language) classes in the library building. The big change for ESL students, other than the location, is that volunteers and the FHHS’s Center for Student Action will provide programs, activities and homework help for children of all ages. Every Monday and Wednesday evening, the library will be open to students enrolled in the ESL class and their families. While the ESL students participate in the fully accredited class with a Skagit Valley College teacher, their children will have access to the library’s collection to do their homework, read on their own, or participate in various structured activities organized by volunteer and High School students. The project has recently been awarded a generous grant from the Community Council of the High School’s Gates Foundation grant for the Center for Student Action to provide organizational and implementation assistance for all aspects of programming for the children of ESL students. Through the work of our Outreach Coordinator, Beth Helstien, we at the library and the college discovered that a significant percentage of new immigrants to our community were unable to improve their English Language skills by attending formal classes. This was because of their difficulty in finding and/or affording child care. Typically, one adult in the family would attend classes while the other stayed home with the kids. We hope to change all that by making ESL classes a family affair, with everyone participating. If you know of anyone who would benefit from ESL classes, please have them get in touch with the Skagit Valley College at 378-3220 or with Beth Helstien at 378-2798 – we can arrange for an interpreter if necessary. If you have proficiency in another language (especially, but not exclusively, Spanish) and would like to volunteer to help with the project, please call Beth.
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