English for Speakers of Other Languages

"I was worried about becoming lost in my new city, that I could not be understood. Now I can speak well, can talk with other people and understand what they are saying to me. When I become a citizen, I shall continue working to be an independent person and learning more about my new country. It is my hope to open my own business. I also plan to help, as a volunteer, people coming from foreign countries."
-- An adult learner with Literacy Volunteers of Greater Syracuse, NY

The ability to understand, and be understood ... that is the key to freedom. For over thirty years, Literacy Volunteers of America has been helping to make America truly "the land of the free" by teaching English to speakers of other languages through its ESOL program.

As it has been from its colonial beginnings, the United States is inhabited by millions of people who arrived here without English language skills. They want to learn English for many reasons: for school, work, citizenship -- for any interaction that requires English proficiency. LVA helps immigrants to become citizens of our country, to find work, and to become productive community members. It has been shown that children born to immigrants perform better in school if their parents are literate in English.

LVA offers a professionally designed and field-tested workshop that enables volunteers to tutor adults in English for speakers of other languages. After being matched with an adult learner or a small group of learners, tutors receive regular support and opportunities for additional training through the local LVA affiliate.