ESL Registration Begins

Almost 70 students registered for ESL classes on Tuesday, Sept. 4. Classes begin on Sept. 11 and will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 7 until 9p.m, for the next 10 weeks. This is the sixth year the program has been held at St. George's UMC.

At the first talley, there were 25 men and 37 women. These included 55 from Korea, 2 from Viet Nam, 2 from Peru, and 1 each from Guatemala, Argentina and Iran. They have varied backgrounds that include: optician, nurse, bank teller, bank manager, construction worker, seamstress, homemaker, ship engineer, clothing designer, restaurant employee, chef, art teacher, teacher, student, jewelry maker, math tutor, family health doctor, physician, dental lab technician, minister, printing pressman, auto mechanic, carpenter, gas inspector, cashier, fashion designer, newspaper manager and shoemaker.

New and returning students were carefully evaluated for their English language skills. ESL volunteer teachers interviewed each student to judge their speaking skills. Then each student took a reading test and then a listening comprehension test. Everett Hopson noted that these really aren't tests on which students must achieve passing grades but rather a process to help place each student in the language level equal to their skills. "Some students understand and speak English better than others," he said. "We want to ensure they are in class levels that will help them improve their English language skills."

Students may register for ESL classes for the next two weeks. For questions about the ESL program, please call the church office at 703-385-4550.