We help adult new Americans to become linguistically self-reliant so that they can participate meaningfully in the community. We want newcomers to feel safe, welcome, and confident about navigating the various situations and institutions that are typical of life here in the U.S.

Description:
The ESL Center trains and matches up volunteer tutors to work one-to-one with adult immigrants on English language proficiency, literacy, cultural orientation, and citizenship. We provide materials, space, and ongoing support to tutors. Tutors plan and present lessons twice a week at whatever schedule is convenient (lessons typically last about an hour). Our students come from a range of countries and educational backgrounds and each student has a different set of learning objectives. For this reason, volunteers spend a substantial amount of time selecting materials and planning lessons that are suitable for their individual student.

History:
The ESL Center was established in 1985 as a means of including a broader range of our community's population in the library's services. The program is funded through the Town of Amherst.

Over the years we have helped hundreds of immigrants to meet their goals of becoming proficient English speakers, productive workers, participants in the community, and U.S. citizens.

Contact person: Lynne Weintraub, Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (413) 256-4096

Address:

43 Amity st Amherst, MA 01002 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.joneslibrary.org/esl/volunteer/volunteers.html

Directions:

We are across from the Amherst Cinema Building on Amity Street (right downtown).   Nearest Bus Stop: PVTA downtown Amherst stops, 2 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

What is the type of the agency?
	Government Organization (City, Town, School, etc)
Does the agency conduct CORI checks?
	No