By Jane Albert & Virginia Steele
The town of Wayland has an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) volunteer tutoring program that has been in existence since 1989. Wayland’s program has trained over 400 tutors who have worked with over 500 learners. Currently, the program is co-directed by Ginny Steel and Jane Albert and is hosted and supported by the Wayland Library and the Friends of the Wayland Library. Since using Zoom during Covid, the Wayland program has expanded its reach, training teachers and matching students and teachers from other towns in addition to Wayland.
The learners represent all levels of English, from beginner to advanced. Most learners are in the beginner to intermediate range. They come from a wide range of countries and native languages, predominantly Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Russian, Korean, and Ukrainian. Most learners are between 30 and 60 years old, but there are also older grandparents who moved here to be with their children and grandchildren and twenty years olds, here as au pairs or students. Each of them has their own reasons for wanting to improve their English. The program’s goal is to help learners achieve these goals, and to build friendships along the way.
Many of the tutors are retirees who have more free time but there are tutors ranging from 20’s to 50’s years old. While most tutors join to help others become more proficient in English and to cope with employers, landlords, schools or the medical system, they soon learn that they get something from the program too. They discover the satisfaction from their student’s progress and relationships develop that enriches both learner and tutor.
One learner shared her story with the program coordinators that illustrates the bonds that develop. She said, “I came to the US from South Korea seven years ago and moved to the Boston area four years ago. I had lived with pride while working as a pediatrician in South Korea, but I lost a lot of confidence because I could not speak English well in immigrant life. I was afraid when someone asked me a question, and even if I had a question, I was hesitant to ask, and there were many cases where I did not know it. I have lived in Wayland since August 2020. Around that time, I met my tutor at the library, and we’ve been studying together ever since. I’ve improved little by little and am getting more and more confident. My tutor is a really good friend who is more than a teacher who supports me, cheers me up, and gives me positive energy whenever I’m frustrated or disappointed. I appreciate her. Also, I would like to thank the public library for introducing me to the ESOL program.”
Tutors do not need teaching experience or to speak another language. Albert and Steele teach a 15-hour tutor training class, spread over 5 classes of 3 hours each spring and fall. The course covers basic teaching methods, resources and cultural considerations. They have identified ESOL curriculum materials for each level and provide support and coaching to help tutors at every step of the way. The tutor training was originally developed by the Commonwealth Literacy Campaign. Sema Faigen was the first director of the program in Wayland, leading it for 17 years. She handed over the program to Ginny Steel in 2006.
After they complete their training, tutors can review the applications of the waiting learners. Matches are made based on availability and interests. The weekly commitment is only for one hour-long lesson plus preparation time. The library has developed an extensive resource center of materials to support both tutors and learners.
Since Covid, four of the five training class sessions a year take place on Zoom, with the final class meeting in person. Each tutor and learner pair decide whether they will meet virtually or in person. In recent years, the program has held several potluck dinners at a local church. These wonderful events have brought together tutors and learners to share native foods, experiences and ideas. Ginny and Jane also hold workshop sessions for tutors to share new materials and teaching techniques.
To learn more, email Jane and Ginny at esol@waylandlibrary.org. and check out the library site at https://waylandlibrary.org/esol-2/esol-for-tutors/
