1 english learning center new volunteer orientation citizenship
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ENGLISH LEARNING CENTER
NEW VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION
CITIZENSHIP
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Our Mission
At the English Learning Center, we are a learning
community of refugees, immigrants and advocates. Our mission is building
knowledge for better lives and livelihoods.
Our core value is to educationally empower our students and their families towards
self-determination . We desire for our students to determine for themselves what
constitutes success. Our goal is to tear down the barriers of language and culture so
our students can make their dreams happen, whatever those dreams may be.
Aziza
Aziza was an English 5/6 student, but she did not enter the school at such a high level. Just a couple short years earlier, Aziza was a new student in English 2. She studied hard and rapidly advanced to English 4! Aziza took a year off when she had her child, but she did not stop studying. She returned to school and placed into English 5/6. Aziza stayed in that class for nearly a year, closely watching her test results; anxious to “graduate” from this course as well. Finally, the day came when Aziza’s test score leapt out of range for her class and we knew she was ready to move on. She passed the GED entrance exam on her first attempt! Her goals is to study nursing.
Aziza
Aziza was an English 5/6 student, but she did not enter the school at such a high level. Just a couple short years earlier, Aziza was a new student in English 2. She studied hard and rapidly advanced to English 4! Aziza took a year off when she had her child, but she did not stop studying. She returned to school and placed into English 5/6. Aziza stayed in that class for nearly a year, closely watching her test results; anxious to “graduate” from this course as well. Finally, the day came when Aziza’s test score leapt out of range for her class and we knew she was ready to move on. She passed the GED entrance exam on her first attempt! Her goals is to study nursing.
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Program History
1981
•Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church started an English literacy program to meet the educational needs of new Southeast Asian immigrants and refugees in the Phillips neighborhood.
2004
•All legal responsibilities were transferred from the church to the new non-profit, Our Saviour’s Community Services (OSCS).
2010
•The ELC merged with the UCAM school, previously located out of Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis. With that, we started to provided morning programming for students.
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Program Information Highlights
ELC served 556 immigrant and refugee students from 36 countries .
5 students passed the Federal Exam during the 2011-2012 program year.
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Cultural Awareness
Muslim students
Students pray about 5 times a day
In the restrooms there are plastic jugs to cleanse their bodies before they pray – don’t throw these away
There is a separate praying area for men and women
Source: http://www.mapsofworld.com
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Cultural Awareness
General Don’ts
Don’t touch a student for any reason, even if it’s only to give them a pat for doing a good job
Do not shake hands with any student unless they initiate the greeting
Limit eye contact
Depending on their educational background students may be less familiar with American classroom etiquette and culture.
Be aware of your body language and how it can be misinterpreted or inappropriate.
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Emergency Preparedness Plan – Inclement Weather and Fire Evacuation
In case of a fire
•1) Evacuate the building immediately
•2) Instruct all students to leave calmly and meet in courtyard in back of church or yard north of Men’s Transitional House
If there is severe weather -- determine your own safety for travel. Call by 3pm to see if school will be cancelled.
If severe weather occurs such as a blizzard while class is in session, encourage students to stay at the school until it is safe to go home.
If class is in session and a tornado watch or warning is issued, keep students in the classrooms if we are in or near the path of the storm. Ensure everyone crouches down and protects his or her head from flying debris.
For any other emergency that may require medical attention or law enforcement call 911.
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Responsibilities of a Citizenship Tutor
Volunteer once a week for one full semester.
Arrive on time – no later than 5:15PM to prep.
Notify ELC staff if you will be unable to volunteer. If you know in advance, you need to find a substitute.
Manage your classroom by defusing disruptive students, and keeping them on track.
Adapt your tutoring to meet the needs of various learning styles and levels of comprehension.
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Responsibilities as a Citizenship Tutor
Provide a positive and safe learning experience for students.
Bring any supplement resources to class to help expand on concepts.
Communicate with fellow teachers by leaving notes in the class binder.
Keep accurate records of students and volunteer hours.
Adhere to Volunteer Boundaries Agreement.
Connect with ELC on Facebook
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http://www.facebook.com/englishlearningcenter
Contact Information11
Volunteer CoordinatorP: (612) 874-9963 x2
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Thank You!
Questions and Answers