ESOL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

“ESOL Update and request for Volunteers

Since reopening the ESOL program in January 2022, we have gradually returned our enrollment to pre-Covid levels. We enroll about 60 students with 16 teachers each time in the Fall and Winter terms.  Our second time offering Spring Conversation classes, a free and informal gathering April 2- June 6, has enrolled 28 students with 6-7 teachers.  This is all great news! However, the workload to manage the larger program has increased as well.

This is a call for more volunteer help with our growing ESOL program!  We must have several assistants to manage some of the varied administrative aspects of the program. Some tasks would be in person, and some managed from home with a computer.  If you are feeling led to help with any of the “jobs” listed below, please contact Louisa Gerber for more info at:  esol@stmatthewsumc.org or  call: 703-507-4892.

1. Manage the church Host volunteers and Sign up Genius.

2. Communicate (text, phone, or email) with prospective students concerning registration or program info (Use the “ESOL” email, not your personal one -use “translate” app and pre-composed messages).   

3. Advertise the program through various avenues in the community (flyers, emails, church, and online).

4. Manage the inventory of snacks and drink supplies for student breaks during class terms.

5. Help with the registration process: in person on the Registration evenings or online to help organize class information and lists

6. Monitor and respond to the Sign up Genius for the appointments for testing.

Each term we always have a need for volunteers to:

-Work with a co-teacher to teach a class once a week during the 10 week terms

-Be on the Substitute list for teachers to call on

-Act as interpreter for Spanish, Korean, or Vietnamese speakers, possibly other languages -let me know what language you speak!

Give it a try! You’ll find it very rewarding knowing it is making a big difference in many lives.”