Our Approach
English At Large programs provide a ladder of support to meet the needs of local English language learners, to provide an accessible pathway to knowledge and understanding that helps them achieve their potential and engage fully in life in the United States.
Our Approach to Learning
EAL programs help learners gain the skills and confidence they need to move forward in their new lives in the United States. Some of our learners strive to join the workforce to provide for their families; others seek to navigate the American education system for themselves or their children. Newcomers need language and cultural knowledge in order to communicate with their doctor, at the bank, or in a store.
Our approach to learning goes beyond teaching English. While knowing the language is a vital step in adapting to this new life, it is but the first step toward achieving life goals. EAL programs connect newcomers with volunteers who are active members of their community, and who generously share their life experience with their learners. Volunteers and learners develop trusting relationships that create a fruitful climate for learning. As newcomers undergo the process of adjusting to a new culture, English At Large learner programs can open gateways to understanding and achievement, and promote stronger, more inclusive communities.
Our Approach to Tutoring
Every English At Large learner has unique personal and language objectives. Our tutors provide individualized instruction, guidance, and support to help learners reach their goals.
Most EAL tutors are not ESL teachers; they are members of the community who are passionate about imparting their cultural knowledge and life experience to help newcomers acclimate.
EAL tutors are trained in the Language Experience Approach (LEA), a learner-centered teaching method and diagnostic tool which provides a starting point for language and cultural instruction. The learner is given a speaking prompt, and the tutor transcribes the response, word for word. This learner-generated text contains context and vocabulary that is familiar and relevant to the learner. The text can then be used for a variety of learning activities, and provides opportunities for side-by-side development of the four language skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing.
EAL tutors employ a variety of other teaching tools, including textbooks, internet resources, and real-life materials, such as PTA newsletters, employee handbooks, citizenship exam questions, and workplace communication documents.
Tutors have full access to the English At Large resource library, as well as the free professional development workshops offered through EAL and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Learner Success
By improving their knowledge of English and U.S. Culture, English At Large learners have been able to:
- secure a job or advance their career
- enroll in college or university
- improve family communication
- become active at their child’s school
- volunteer in their community
- learn how to use public transportation
- vote in an election
- pass the U.S. Citizenship exam
English At Large
800 West Cummings Park, Suite 5550
Woburn, MA 01801
tel : 781.395.2374
email : info@englishatlarge.org
We thank our sponsors
Follow us on Twitter
Conversation Starters: News You Need to Hear from English At Large! https://t.co/2q4wvrFwgJ
Did you see the pictures from last week's #SustainingGrants Awards Night? Check them out on Flickr:
Free Blood Pressure Screening tonite 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the library. @bcattv @BurlLibFriends @BurlingtonCoa @Burlington_MRC @BurlingtonMAFD @burlingtonpd @BPDACO
Missed our #woburnunites supper clubs? Try the community dining event that started it all! Register here: https://t.co/15EWhrs5Vt #culturalconnections #dinner #newneighbors #welcome @socialcap @michaelmulrenan @WoburnWelcomes @WoburnSchools Pls RT, friends.
#Thankyou to our state reps who answered the call to support Amendment #1254 for EAL! Thank you @richhaggerty @mciccolo @seangarballeyMA @RepKenGordon @Rep_Robertson @RepBradJones @mikeday4rep @TamiGouveiaMA @RepStanley for your actions to protect local services!
Excited and grateful to receive a #SustainingGrant from the @cummingsdotcom Foundation! Thank you for being a partner in helping local #immigrants reach their full potential and achieve their life goals!
Help protect life-changing services for local immigrants! Call your state rep to support Amendment #1254 for English At Large! Call script and rep contact list here: https://t.co/ZWp4088cf4
EAL Conversation Group facilitators lead groups for intermediate speakers, helping them build confidence and understanding. #Thankyou for creating safe spaces for learners to practice their English, build networks, and learn more about life in the U.S. #volunteerweek
We have to #thank the hundreds of local #volunteers who serve with #community #nonprofits that provide critical funding to support our programs! #Thankyou for inspiring the #philanthropy that makes our work possible! @TheZakimFund @cccchest @abunitedway @FFMW #volunteerweek
EAL Volunteer tutors serve 150 learners each year and provide more than 4,000 hours of service. #Thankyou for empowering your learners to achieve their life goals! #volunteerweek #makeadifference #learningbuildscommunity #lifechanging
Happy National Volunteer Week! https://t.co/woCVyzaP7h
Our Career Access Lab Program supports highly-skilled immigrants in their job search. #Thankyou CAL volunteers, for helping our learners reach their career goals! #volunteerweek #makeadifference #sharingskills
Our volunteer interns help us plan and run programs and training events and work on special projects. #Thankyou for helping us promote our services and to engage others in our work! #community #interns #volunteerweek
Our volunteer board helps guide our mission and works to raise funds to support our services. #Thankyou for your leadership and service! #volunteerweek #makeadifference
Did you know that students at #Tufts University volunteer with English At Large as teachers in our Beginner English Program? Thank you for helping local immigrants learn the words they need in daily life! #volunteerweek #learningbuildscommunity
Conversation Starters: News You Need to Hear from English At Large! https://t.co/Hud0gTjSDY
Got book groups?
Today’s mock interview event was a great success! Thank you #volunteers for helping our learners build confidence and enter the US workforce
Time is Running Out! You Have Just Hours Left to Bid High for Community Services https://t.co/0uS7E4ZbPd
We are heading into the final stretch of our online auction! You have just 24 hours left to make your winning bid and support local services! https://t.co/DUiIq3QVas
Join us on Facebook
Day 2 of #MassMeetYourNeighbors Spotlight on: Natalya, English At Large Volunteer Follow us on instagram for the full interview: https://www.instagram.com/naip_americorps/ Find out more about NAIP at: http://miracoalition.org/americorps #MAIsOurHome #NAIP #AmeriCorps #EnglishatLarge #Massachusetts
Across cultures and across generations, it's fun to share experiences! We recently introduced our summer interns to the joys of packaged snack cakes. The reviews were mixed! #twinkies #hostess
Happening now: CAL mock interview event. Learners are getting ready for their in-person interviews.
Thank you Concord-Carlisle Community Chest for investing in the potential of local immigrants. This $4,000 grant will help us continue to offer high-quality free programs to those who need them most. We are proud to partner with you in service to the community.
This video debuted at our 2019 Graduation event! Special thanks to our tutors and learners for sharing their messages with us. youtu.be/9cjJne9J-zY
Congratulations to our Tutoring Learner Graduates, with thanks for the service of their volunteer tutors.
www.englishatlarge.org/events/2019-learner-graduation-event/
This evening we will celebrate the achievements of 50 local immigrants who have advanced their knowledge of English and made progress towards their life goals as learners in our Tutoring Program. We are grateful for the commitment and community spirit of their volunteer tutors who serve as teachers, friends and mentors. Congratulations to all!
So excited for our 2nd Annual Learner Graduation event tomorrow evening at the Lexington Historic Depot! Special thanks to Rockland Trust and especially #Woburn branch manager Mauricio Burgos-Lemus for supporting the event and the success of our learners!
We are so excited to welcome Jay, Gia and Natalia as our summer interns! They will be co-facilitating a summer Conversation Group and helping us with several projects in the office. Thank you for volunteering your time to support EAL!
Attention Learners: We still have openings in our summer book groups happening this summer at the Acton Public Library, Robbins Library, Billerica Public Library and Cary Memorial Library. Register here: www.englishatlarge.org/book-group/
englishatlarge.org
Summer Book Groups English At Large runs Book Groups in the summer at various public libraries across our service area. Book Groups provide opportunities for intermediate to advanced English learners to practice reading, speaking, and writing skills. Small groups of 8-10 learners meet with their ...Thank you State Senator Cindy Friedman for working to secure vital funds for local programs! patch.com/massachusetts/woburn/state-budget-includes-9-4-million-woburn-schools?utm_term=article-...
State Budget Includes $9.4 Million For Woburn Schools
patch.com
The state funding for Woburn Public Schools is an increase over the current year.Congratulations to our partner the The Lenny Zakim Fund and thanks to the Cummings Foundation for investing in their very important work! #100kfor100 #socialjustice Woo-hoo!!We were granted $100K!!! Woohoo!! We couldn't be more excited to be partnered with Cummings Foundation as a part of their #100Kfor100 program. Thank you!!
More pictures from our successful resume review event at the Woburn Public Library last night! Learn more about our Career Access Lab here: www.englishatlarge.org/career-readiness/
Happening now: CAL resume review event! Thank you Woburn Public Library and our volunteers for supporting local immigrants as they enter the US workforce!
Registration is now open for our summer book groups! This year, these volunteer-led groups will be reading and discussing short stories. Thank you Billerica Public Library, Robbins Library, Acton Public Library and Cary Memorial Library for partnering with us and hosting this year's groups. Learners, register here: www.englishatlarge.org/book-group/
Our summer conversation groups are filling up fast! Learners, register today to secure your spot: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdZcmzZEfM8aQBwPTF_8gGrGXG44F7GQww-XJ46qWMNhXiE9Q/viewform
Summer 2019 Conversation Group Registration Request
docs.google.com
For more information about our groups, please visit our website: http://www.englishatlarge.org/conversation-groups/ You will receive an email confirmation from English At Large with group confirmation. You can only register for one group. Our conversation groups are very popular. Registration is acc...Attention Learners and volunteers who live in MetroWest communities: add your voice to this community survey! Taking this survey will help us learn more about the people who live and work in the community.Have you taken the Community Survey yet? Responses are completely anonymous and the data will be used to create Impact MetroWest-a public resource to build awareness & drive change. Fill it out today! It is available: In English: bit.ly/ImpactMW-EN Em Português: bit.ly/FFMW-P En Español: bit.ly/FFMW-SP
Thank you so much for boosting the signal! The more data we gather, the better Impact MetroWest will be!
We were so pleased to get a visit from Jack Good of People's United Bank who stopped by to deliver a $2,500 grant award from the People's United Bank Charitable Foundation! Thank you for supporting life-changing services for local immigrants across our shared service area!
Great news, especially for our Woburn tutors and learners!
Woburn Public Library
Introducing...online booking for study rooms : ) https://bit.ly/309Dp8A
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