FAQs
How can I help?
There are two ways you can make a difference in the life of someone struggling to learn English. The most direct way is to volunteer to tutor an individual or small group. We’ll provide all the training, materials, and support you will need. Volunteers are the most valuable asset we have. Without volunteers we would not be able to reach out to so many of our students who need English.
If volunteering is not possible for you because of other commitments, we’d appreciate financial help. In-kind and monetary donations of any size are always welcome and are put to good use recruiting, training and supporting volunteers. We are also always need help with other projects. Please contact us for more information.
How is the ESL Center different than other ESL providers in the area?
A number of school districts and other non-profit organizations provide English classes for adult refugees and immigrants. For economic reasons, classes tend to be large, use a fixed curriculum, and be at fixed times. These three factors significantly reduce the learning effectiveness for many students. The ESL Center is the best and often only option alternative for working adults and families.
Immigrants and refugees come from every continent, culture, and major religion in the world. Some come from countries with advanced economies and excellent school systems. Others have had no formal education and have never before used items like telephones or televisions nor experienced supermarkets or public transportation. Some spoken languages don’t include the sounds of the English language. Often written languages use different characters and some are read right to left.
The result is that even students who are highly educated may be held back by the pace of a large class. We have learned that for many adult learners and individualized program best meets their needs. More than 2/3 of our students, however, have less than an 8th grade education and quite a few are unable to read in any language. This group may be not be able to keep up with a class, or use the written materials. They need more basic “survival” skills. The ESL Center can accommodate all these students because our tutoring is “student centered”. Our tutors tailor their material and pace of instruction to the most critical needs of their students.Tutors and students meet at times and in locations that are mutually convenient. They meet at our center, in libraries and other public facilities. The exception is our family literacy program where tutors work in students’ homes. We are unique in Utah in providing such services.
How many immigrants and refugees are there in the area?
Census statistics indicate that during the last decade, every year an average of 1,000 refugees were resettled along the Wasatch Front and 10,000 other immigrants moved here. Without help, most will take many years to learn even basic English - some may never do so. Studies show that those who speak English earn on average 25% more than those who do not and that the children of those who learn English do much better in school.
How long does it take to learn English?
It takes most people several years to become fluent, but you will see continuous improvement during that time. The more practice they get, the faster they learn. We measure their English skills when they first join our program using a standardized test and again after each 60 hours of tutoring.