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An ESLC class poses together after class

Finding the Right Volunteer Opportunity at the English Skills Learning Center

My advice is to look for a role that fits your strengths, interests, and availability, and that you feel confident committing to over time. The ESLC always has volunteer needs, but that doesn't mean every volunteer role is the right fit for every person.

Jessica Hercules

20 hours ago4 min read

Why I Volunteer to Teach English and Family Literacy: Meet Chelle

Chelle loves that the program she works in helps parents learn the English language and allows them an opportunity to connect with and teach their children. “It's such a great program because it's an encouragement to help them to get comfortable with their English skills while also spending some time with their kids. It's a great program.”

Zane Poss

Oct 12 min read

Why I Volunteer to Teach English and Citizenship: Meet Mike

Mike is passionate about working with individuals and seeing them be successful at the end of a hard road. One day, “there were two or three citizens being sworn in as United States citizens, that was an exciting thing, just the enthusiasm and the love that they had for America,” he said. Mike proudly holds his experience working at the ESLC on his business card. He has received two Hands and Hearts awards for his volunteer work.

Zane Poss

Sep 12 min read

ESLC Volunteer, Kent, poses with adult learners from his English class at a local library

Why I Volunteer to Teach English: Meet Kent

“These people come because they want to be there. There's hope in their eyes when they walk in the door. They want to improve themselves and improve their situation. Some of them also just want friends to socialize to be around people who are going through the same thing they're going through.”

Zane Poss

Aug 52 min read

Why I Volunteer to Teach English: Meet Dylan

Dylan moonlights as an Uber driver. One evening in 2025, he had a ride that inspired him to do more to help immigrants. The woman Dylan was driving around seemed reluctant to say where she was from. Dylan wondered if it was because of a controversial comment made by a politician. “I wonder if this woman in sort of the aftermath of that is a little bit, it's something she doesn't want to bring up just to anyone. I just kind of had that in my mind, and I thought that's such a s

Zane Poss

Jul 272 min read

Teaching Tip: Using Minimal Pairs to Build Listening and Pronunciation Skills

Minimal pairs are two words that differ by only one sound, such as ship/sheep , fan/van , or cut/gut . Practicing them helps learners hear distinctions that may not exist in their first language and improves both listening comprehension and pronunciation. A key reminder: students will struggle with different sounds depending on their language background. This isn’t about labeling learners or making assumptions about individuals, but about ensuring we rotate practice so everyo

Teaching Tips

ESLC

Feb 72 min read

Teaching Tip: Engaging Students with Visual Aids

Engaging students in speaking and writing activities can be challenging. Visual aids offer a practical solution to this problem. A single image can spark creativity, encourage discussion, and deepen understanding. Using visuals in the classroom transforms lessons from passive listening into active learning experiences. How Visuals Stimulate Student Production Visuals provide a concrete starting point for students to build ideas. When students see an image, their brains connec

Teaching Tips

ESLC

Dec 18, 20252 min read