ESL Project

The first ESL Tutors training
Lincoln Place Church of Nazarene, Pittsburgh, PA 15207
Saturday March 10, 2018

​English as Second Language (ESL) Tutors Training Report.
Agape-Heart International organization (AHIO), a nonprofit organization located at 5604 Interboro Avenue, Pittsburgh PA, in collaboration with Manifest Ministry organized ESL tutors training for teaching English as Second Language for immigrants and refugees in Pittsburgh. The training took place on March 10, 2018 at Lincoln Place church of the Nazarene. The training was facilitated by Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council (GPLC). The training was opened with a word of prayer by Pastor Joe Stump. The training was facilitated by three GPLC staff. The aim of this training is equip the tutors with knowledge and skills to train the refuges to be able to communicate correctly and function well in the society. 
The goal of this training is to help immigrants and refugees develop language skills necessary to be successful as members of this society in Pittsburgh. This can be done most effectively by meeting the following objectives: 

• To nurture the tutors to help students to self-pride and self identity in their linguistic and cultural heritage.
• To develop proficiency in English language and reach levels of: listening,  reading, writing and speaking 
• To reach level of proficiency in all content areas to the refugees and immigrant community
• To provide curricular and extra-curricular opportunities for ESL students in similar fashion to their needs  

Session One: Introduction by the facilitators and ESL tutors, students profile #1, students evaluation and placement, cultural difference and shock, language learning in adults and teaching vocabulary.
Session two: Dialogues, listening, student profile #2, pronunciation, student profile#3, grammar, texts and materials.
Session Three: student profile #4 literacy, language experience activity, review of terms, student profile#5, tutors familiarizing themselves with their students
Session four: additional fun activities, activity review, lesion planning, lesson planning activity, sharing lesson plans, getting started and tutors were certified.


Note: Because the refugees and immigrants not being able to communicate in English language in America correctly, it becomes a huge barrier for social inclusion to immigrants and refugees. Without skills in English, refugees find it very hard to interact outside home. Immigrants and refugees struggle to integrate with their America friends at work place, schools and market places. They find it very challenging to find employment due to language problems. There were two refugees in training class shared their experiences of how difficult they faced in United States finding jobs because of need to develop a professional resume. They added that, refuges face difficulties in obtaining driving license, catching bus, finding jobs and communicating with their doctors when they fall sick or when their family member falls sick. They find is hard to answering phones especially when the phone call goes to answering machine. Paying bills is another challenge.