ESL Program
by Sister Eleace King, IHM
“In 2002 The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary began collaborating with the Diocese of Scranton and Catholic Social Services in order to meet the needs of a growing number of Hispanic immigrants in South Scranton. From that discussion came the beginning of the ESL Program sponsored by the Sisters of IHM.” (New Beginnings, History of ESL - 2002)
Today the ESL program, which operates out of the former Nativity Convent, serves 71 adult immigrants from 15 countries. The majority of students come from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras, but we also serve students from South Korea, Turkey, Brazil, and Azerbaijan.
Each week we hold 41 classes. The day program meets Monday through Thursday between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Students meet with teachers twice each week in groups of 1 to 3. Most of these students are parents of school age children. The evening program meets Monday and Tuesday evenings in groups of 2 to 6. Since most of our students work, the evening program is much larger than the day program. In addition to the classes held at the Hemlock Street location, classes held at the IHM Center, OLP, and Marywood University serve six students. Twenty-one volunteers (15 IHM sisters, 1 Sister of Mercy, and 5 lay persons) are the backbone of this ministry. One of our lay volunteers is also a student in the program. Julia continues to attend class to increase her vocabulary and improve her grammar, but she recently began teaching a newly arrived immigrant who knew no English.
Studying English is hard work! Many factors complicate this process: the difficulty of the language itself, the migratory nature of our students, their personal and family problems, and their long days working in hard jobs that sap their energy. Despite all these obstacles, our students try to remain faithful to the program because they know how important it is to learn English. They find our ESL program to be a safe and supportive environment where they are able to share the burdens of their lives and form close friendships. The program goes far beyond teaching English; this year a donation from the Voluntary Action Center allowed us to give the participants warm hats, scarves, and socks for their children. Working in the ESL program is the perfect opportunity to walk with God’s people as they navigate the complexities of life in the United States.
Although we have many needs, our greatest need is for new volunteer teachers, especially for the evening program. We have classes that begin at 6:00 p.m. and at 7:00 p.m. Teachers do not need to speak another language, and do not need to have teaching experience. The only requirement is that teachers want to help new immigrants become part of the fabric of life in Scranton and in the United States. Could you consider giving an hour or two a week to helping someone learn English and become acquainted with U.S. culture? If you think you might be interested, come for a visit.
Contact Information
For more information, contact Sister Eleace King at 570-955-6550 or at kinge@sistersofihm.org
