ESL classes in the Syrian Program have begun! Volunteers were trained last summer for this program. An estimated 15 to 20 participants are meeting with 15 volunteers twice a week for 2 hour sessions.
The sessions are being held at Stone Soup Fresno, and include partnership with Fresno State University Linguistics Department, who adapted the’s ESL curriculum from the American English Institute.
“We are pleased with rolling out this ESL program this fall. ESL is a key component in resettling refugees and helping them be successful in their new home,” said Zack Darrah, FIRM Executive Director.
Plans are already other way to add a second ESL cohort at Stone Soup, with previously trained volunteers, with the goal of being able to offer sessions 5 days per week.