ESOL Program

                   
Students at the West Springfield Public Library ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages Program,) represent individuals from the Former Soviet Republics, Poland, Thailand, Colombia, Peru, El Salvador and Puerto Rico. The students attend classes with the intention of improving their communication skills. Some aspire to attain employment; to find advancement in their present jobs; to move on to higher education programs; to acquire their citizenship; to learn survival skills needed to function in their environment; and  to become active members of the community.

These students have a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. In this group, among others are: a lawyer from Poland, an orthopedic doctor from Peru, a farmer, a housewife, and a machinist from Colombia. Many of these students are working at “provisional ” jobs as painters, home-health care workers, factory workers, etc, and they attend these classes with an eye to returning to their former professions.

As  active sponsors of the ESOL program, the  Community Development Office of West Springfield, and D. J. St. Germain Company have  had a significant effect on hundreds of local immigrants for over 10 years. These individuals have gone on to become contributing members of our local workforce and economy. Their integration into the English speaking community has had an equally positive impact on their children’s education and citizenship.

On behalf of the West Springfield Public Library and the community as a whole, we thank our sponsors for their generous support. Anyone interested in more information, and in how to contribute to the ESOL program, please contact the library at 736-4561.

The Library has been offering ESOL classes since October 1992.  The classes have consistently been filled to capacity and often have waiting lists for the next session

The target populations are immigrant adults whose native language is not English but who have some basic English skills.  The evening classes target the working adult or spouse who want to enhance communication skills to improve their chances for advancement in the workplace.

• Classes in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at the
  intermediate and advanced levels.

• Personal interviews and placement in one of two levels of ESOL.

• Assessment and referrals to other appropriate social service agencies when the need arises.  Referrals include literacy volunteers for one-on-one tutoring when needed and to agencies offering citizenship instruction as requested.

• Basic education and ESOL resource library available to students and library patrons.  

• Well-lighted, separate classroom space.

ESOL Instructor, Jonas Barrientos has been conducting classes since 1993.  Classes run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from September to June in five six-week sessions, three classes per session.   Prior to the start of class sessions each semester, the Instructor conducts one week of orientation and referral sessions, for a total of 32 program weeks.  These sessions serve to place the students in classes that will best serve their needs based on present ability.

Students are grouped according to their level of communication as follows:

    Beginning Level:  6:30 to 7:30 PM
    Intermediate Level:  7:30 to 9:00 PM
    There is no Minimal Level available at this time.

These classes are open to adults from all nationalities who are interested in improving their communication skills.  Students learn effective oral expression, pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary development, syntax, plus reading and writing skills.  All classes are conducted in English only, and all students are expected to participate in group discussions.

For further information, please contact Jonas Barrientos at the library at 736-4561, ext. 6.