English Language Classes / Clases de Inglés
Classes and Registration
The 12-week Fall semester of English classes will run from September 10 to December 4, 2024. During this period, classes will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, with optional pre-class tutoring between 6 and 6:30pm. Language instruction will be provided at Level 1 (Beginner) through Level 3.
Registration Opens September 5
Students may register in person on Thursday September 5, 2024, between 6 and 7:30pm, at St. Matthew’s Education Center, 1726 N Street, NW. At registration, each student will be assessed to determine the appropriate class level in which he/she will be placed. Student registrations will be from 6pm to 7:30pm on all class days until classes are full. The cost of the 14-week semester is $30. For more information, please contact stmatthewsdcesl@gmail.com.
Clases e Inscripción
El semestre de 12 semanas de otoño de clases de inglés se extenderá del 10 de septiembre al 4 de diciembre de 2024. Durante este período, las clases se llevarán a cabo los martes y miércoles por la noche de 6:30 a 8:30pm, con tutoría previa a la clase opcional entre las 6 y las 6:30pm. La instrucción de idiomas se brindará desde el nivel 1 (principiante) hasta el nivel 3.
Las inscripciones se abren el 5 de septiembre
Los estudiantes pueden inscribirse en persona el jueves 5 de septiembre 2024 entre las 6 y las 7:30pm en St. Matthew's Education Center, 1726 N Street, NW. En el momento de la inscripción, se evaluará a cada estudiante para determinar el nivel de clase apropiado en el que se le ubicará. Las inscripciones de los estudiantes serán de 6 a 7:30pm todos los días de clase hasta que las clases estén llenas. El costo del semestre de 14 semanas es de $30. Para obtener más información, póngase en contacto stmatthewsdcesl@gmail.com.
Mission
The English as a Second Language (ESL) Program is an all-volunteer program that provides English language instruction to adults (ages 18 and up) during three semesters each year: Fall, Spring and Summer. Language instruction is provided at Level 1 (Beginner) through Level 3 and classes are held at St. Matthew’s Education Center, 1726 N Street, NW.
Our mission is to educate students in English as a second language in order to help advance their life’s vocation. We teach English to immigrants so that they can better navigate the day-to-day challenges involved in employment, social life, family and immigration.
What We Do
During the fall and spring semesters we hold classes two nights per week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) for two hours (6:30pm to 8:30pm), with a 15 minute break to rest and socialize. During the summer semesters, classes are held on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. We also organize periodic potluck meals and an end of semester banquet to celebrate the efforts of our students and volunteers, and to foster a sense of camaraderie among our program community.
Students have told us:
“Teachers help us with all different parts of English: writing, reading, speaking, listening. During class I can speak out to practice. I don't feel embarrassed.”
“The program is a friendly community. I have good friends here.”
Teachers have said:
“To watch students progress throughout the semester, and to see them gain confidence and excitement about what they’ve learned, is incredibly fulfilling.”
“I feel that I learn more from the students – about their lives and cultures – than I teach them.”
How You Can Help
Our volunteers serve as teachers, tutors and hospitality ministers.
Teachers are all volunteers, often professionals across various industries with little-to-no formal teaching experience. Each class is taught by two teachers who volunteer to teach one night a week.
Tutors come to the education center from 6pm to 6:30pm one night a week to offer one-on-one instruction, practice or support with difficult lessons.
Hospitality Ministers are critical to the ESL/SSL program's success. They open up the building before students arrive, close the building after class and prepare snacks for the break. They also generally maintain the programs supply inventory and serve the various needs of students and teachers to help the program continue to run smoothly.
We are looking for volunteers to serve primarily as teachers, tutors and persons of hospitality one night per week (Tuesday or Wednesday) in the Spring 2023 semester of the ESL Program. Please see below for more details. While volunteers are not required to have formal training in teaching English as a second language, we expect their native language to be English. We always try to pair you more experienced teachers with newer volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact stmatthewsdcesl@gmail.com.
Why We Do This
By teaching English and Spanish, we seek to serve the immigrant communities in Washington, DC – both by teaching English to immigrants and by teaching Spanish to native English speakers, who then serve immigrants in their various charitable endeavors. People come to Washington, DC from all over the world for various calamities and opportunities in their lives, and we hope to encourage them by developing their capacity to speak, read, listen and write in English.
We serve Christ by serving immigrants in Washington, DC
“Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you? And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25: 37-40)
Verbal communication is an indispensable tool for discipleship in Christ:
"No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29)