A Change to the PVLA Class Schedule

The new semester of classes at CCC and PVLA are underway, but there has been a change to best serve students.

The Introductory ESL and Integration class has been moved from Thursday night to Wednesday night. The time is still the same, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, as is the location: Family Resource Center, 3020 18th St, Columbus, NE.

What is the Introductory ESL and Integration Class?

The goal of the Integration Class is to help transition newcomers to the area into their new community. The class is designed to provide basic information such as where and how to apply for jobs, how to find doctors and dentists and make appointments, how to navigate the community, and how to open a bank account, among others.

In addition to learning how to live in the new community, for individuals who have no to low English-speaking skills, the Introductory ESL class gives adult students the foundation they need to learn the English language. Once they have the basics, they can then move onto higher level English classes, citizenship classes, or GED classes to obtain the skills and knowledge they need to achieve their dreams.

How Do You Sign Up for the Introductory ESL and Integration Class?

If anyone is interested in attending this class, all they have to do is show up when the class is offered, and the instructor will get them registered.

For any further questions, please fill out the form on the right-hand side of this blog, send an email to pvlacolumbusne @ yahoo.com (don’t forget to remove the spaces!), or call 402-562-1463.

The People of PVLA

Overall, the PVLA isn’t what many would consider a huge nonprofit. Our focus is local, as we provide classes that benefit the people who live in Platte and Colfax counties, as well as the surrounding area. While we may not be large, the people who keep the PVLA running make a huge impact.

Who Keeps the PVLA Running?

The PVLA Board

At the top of the list of the People of PVLA is the board of directors. These individuals ensure that the PVLA does what it can to fulfill its mission and stay financial responsible. For more information about these people, please click on the tab above.

The Executive Director

Next in line after the PVLA board is the executive director. This position is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the PVLA. From budgets to hiring to community outreach, the executive director does what is necessary to provide the programs that are the most beneficial to students.

Jessica has been the executive director since February 2023. Her role is only part-time, and she spends the rest of her working week teaching English classes at CCC and as a Writing Coach on campus. “There are two things that make me incredibly proud of what I do at PVLA: one is providing a safe space for students to learn, and the second is connecting them to the Columbus community.”

Classroom Instructors

While the PVLA board and executive director are responsible for much of the behind-the-scenes work, it’s the instructors that are the true lifeblood of the nonprofit. Without them, the PVLA would not be able to function. We are so thankful and appreciative of the individuals who provide their time and expertise to teach students.

We have instructors for the following classes:

Citizenship

Yesenia is the citizenship instructor in Schuyler, and she teaches on Saturdays. She started teaching in May of 2024. “My passion for U.S. history drives me to empower adults on their journey to becoming U.S. citizens. It’s incredibly fulfilling to motivate them as they pursue their own dreams and goals. I believe in the transformative power of education and am committed to helping adults realize their aspirations, all while providing this invaluable support at no cost. Together, we can build a brighter future!”

Melanie teaches citizenship in Columbus on Monday evenings, and she has been with the PVLA since the fall of 2020. “I previously enjoyed working with CCC Adult Education and PVLA students as the volunteer coordinator, and I wanted to continue when I took a full-time job as the CCC-Columbus Academic Success Center director. I love helping PVLA students reach their goal of becoming a United States citizen!”

Introductory ESL and Integration

Lorena teaches the Introductory ESL and Integration class on Thursday nights in Columbus. This is one of our newest class offerings, so she has only been with PVLA since January of 2025. “I have the desire to help more people and families in our community. I love teaching the integration class, this class has helped so many adults adapt to life in the US by providing English language skills, digital literacy and knowledge of resources and services that our community has to offer. I definitely see myself teaching at PVLA for many more years to come!”

Introductory ESL

Toni teaches the Introductory ESL class on Tuesday mornings, and she has been with PVLA since February 2025. “I recently retired but wanted to keep busy. I wanted to meet new people and also contribute to the community. I felt that teaching ESL would meet these goals. I would like to continue teaching ESL and also looking for other opportunities to volunteer.”

Family Literacy

Lana has been the Family Literacy instructor at Emerson Elementary since August 2024. “I wanted to become a PVLA instructor because I enjoy helping people who are new to our community. I especially love teaching English and interacting with people from different countries.”

Conversational English

Bill has been teaching the Conversational English class in Columbus for at least 10 years—but no one really knows for sure how long he’s been here, so he could have been teaching for much longer! “I saw an article in a church bulletin asking for volunteer tutors. It has been rewarding to see former students doing well.”

Outreach ESL

Mikaela has been teaching Outreach ESL classes since July 2024. These classes are offered by various businesses around town, and Mikaela goes on-site to instruct the employees. “I like making people feel seen, heard and giving them a friendly face when they may be trying to acclimate to a new country or culture. I also like helping people, and seeing their faces light up when they realize that they can communicate with me makes my day. I love seeing my students in class every week, knowing they are paying attention and trying hard to learn. They are doing very well and I am proud of them all.”

A Place for All

The PVLA has been around since the 1980s, and we continue to provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in the classroom and beyond. Everyone at the PVLA plays a vital role, and we couldn’t ask for a better team!

The End of the Family Learning School Year

The Family Learning school year came to a close last week, and it was an incredibly successful two semesters. For some insight into how the program went, please read the following words from Lana (Family Learning instructor) and enjoy the pictures!

"If I were to summarize our year of Family Literacy in Columbus in one word, it would be community. It takes visitors only a few moments to see a strong community within our classroom walls!

The students feel comfortable enough to ask each other questions about our school system and procedures, language learning, or life in Columbus. As the first year of our Family Literacy program in Columbus comes to a close, students are already anticipating the start of classes in the Fall!

I am too.

Highlights:

*Our strong classroom community is apparent with the amount of laughter that occurs while learning a new language. Students also ask about each other when classmates are absent. Many friendships have been forged this year, and it’s apparent that students enjoy spending time together. Recently, a student wanted to learn to make lasagna, so several students got together outside of class to learn to make lasagna and eat together.

*Some students wanted to read more to build their vocabulary. We started reading Gulliver’s Travels in class this semester and finished reading the book this week! After reading Gulliver’s Travels, students shared summaries of the story and discussed whether Gulliver should return to the sea for more adventures or stay home with his family.

One student said she enjoyed the book because Gulliver had to learn a new language just like her. The students enjoyed reading, writing, and discussing a book together in class and are driven to continue learning through reading together.

*This year, we had the opportunity to meet our Superintendent, Elementary Principals, and Classroom teachers. Our families thoroughly enjoyed meeting with the school personnel, and our conversations helped build community and connection with our school personnel. The parents grew in their ability and confidence to communicate with their child’s teachers and other staff who work with their child.

*There are countless resources available to families in Columbus, and it’s easy for many to go unused! Many students noted they would like to learn how to create healthier meals. This spring, we tapped into some of our community resources and invited a couple of dietitians to speak to our class. They discussed practical ways to create healthier meals while cooking a simple yet healthy dish for our class. Students asked lots of questions and discussed how to incorporate healthier options into their meals at home.

Other community presenters visited the class to talk about their services and organizations, and students even went on field trips to locations such as the children’s museum, public library and new Field House at the YMCA."

Rainy Day Activities

April showers bring May flowers—and we should be seeing a lot of blooms here soon.

We’ve been getting a lot of rain here in Columbus, and while it’s needed, it can also leave you feeling bored and unsure of what to do. If you find yourself stuck inside on a gray day, here are some ways to stay busy.

Spend Some Time on Burlington English

If you happen to have the Burlington English app, spending some time on it while it’s raining can be incredibly beneficial.

Instead of scrolling through social media, open the BE app and do a quick lesson. Is there a commercial break during your favorite show? Perfect time to do get on your phone and engage in an English lesson!

Listen to Audiobooks

There are a variety of apps that you can download onto your phone that give you access to a wide range of stories, so you’re sure to find something that you enjoy.

The best part about audiobooks is that you can listen while doing other things. If you’re trying to get some rainy day cleaning done, you can pop in your headphones and listen to a book at the same time.

If you’re looking to relax, curl up on your couch with a blanket and an audiobook and get lost in another world.

Read with Your Kids

If you need to keep yourself and your kids busy on a rainy day, consider reading to your kids. It doesn’t matter what types of stories or books you choose. You can even have them read to you. Reading is a great way to forget that the weather outside is less than ideal.

Bake a Delicious Treat

While engaging in learning activities on a rainy day can be beneficial, you can also do something enjoyable—like baking your favorite treat. Not only will the warmth from the oven fill you with joy, but the smells in your house will make you forget all about the dreary weather outside.

The rain may be needed, but it can still make the day feel long and boring. Thankfully, there are things you can do to pass the time.

Staying Busy During Spring Break

Photo by Perfecto Capucine on Pexels

Spring Break starts this week, which means most students (adults and kids alike) won’t be in school.

Don’t worry! Even if you aren’t in class, there are still some things you can do to ensure you’re staying busy during Spring Break.

1. Read with Your Kids

Probably the easiest way to ensure you continue to learn English during this week is to read to your kids. It doesn’t matter what types of stories or books you choose, just make sure they’re in English. Whether it’s right before bed or in the middle of the day, reading with your kids can be incredibly enjoyable.

If you aren’t confident in your reading abilities, consider checking out Unite for Literacy. Not only are there a ton of books on this site your kids will enjoy, but the computer will read them out loud for you! This is a great way to learn new vocabulary words and spend some quality time with the kiddos.

2. Listen to Audiobooks

In addition to reading with your kids, another option you have is to listen to audiobooks. There are a variety of apps that you can download onto your phone that give you access to a wide range of stories, so you’re sure to find something that you enjoy.

The best part about audiobooks is that you can listen while doing other things. It doesn’t matter if you’re driving, working, doing chores, or just hanging out, you can have a book playing in the background.

Audiobooks are ideal if you’re traveling. Whether you’re in the car or getting onto a plane, pop your headphones in, be transported to another world, and immerse yourself in some English!

3. Spend Some Time on Burlington English

If you happen to have the Burlington English app, spending some time on it during Spring Break can be incredibly beneficial—even if it’s only 5 minutes a day.

At night, right before you go to bed, instead of scrolling through social media, open the BE app and do a quick lesson. Sitting in a waiting room? This can be a great time to do some English lessons on your phone!

It Doesn’t Take Much

Spring Break is only a week long, and it can be hard to find time to study, but by finding ways to include the kids or engage in activities while on the go, you can still study over the week and improve your English skills.

Enjoy your time off!

Introductory ESL Moves to New Day and New Time

Last year, the PVLA was able to offer an introductory ESL class thanks to a generous gift from Tyson Foods.

In 2025, that class is still available, but it is now being offered on Tuesdays from 9:00 to 11:00 am.

What Are Introductory ESL Classes?

Introductory ESL classes give adult students the foundation they need to learn the English language. Once they have the basics, they can then move onto higher level English classes, citizenship classes, or GED classes to obtain the skills and knowledge they need to accomplish their goals.

The 2-hour weekly class is designed to provide basic information such as teaching students the alphabet, numbers, colors, and how to introduce themselves, among others. The classes are centered around 12 lessons, which are taught on a continuous loop throughout the year.

How Does One Sign Up for Introductory ESL Classes?

Students can join the introductory ESL class at any time. All you need to do is show up during class time! This class is free.

Have questions? Fill out the form on the right-hand side of this blog or send an email to pvlacolumbusne @ yahoo.com (don’t forget to remove the spaces!). You can also call 402-562-1463.

Is it Too Late to Register for ESL Classes?

The newest semester of ESL classes started last week on January 6th, and CCC’s ESL classes are full!

Since the semester has started, you may be wondering if you can get registered for ESL classes.

Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Put Your Name on the Wait List

Since classes have already started and are super full, the chances of getting into a class are low. However, if you put your name on the wait list, this increases (but doesn’t guarantee) your chances of getting into a class sooner rather than later.

How do you put your name on the wait list? As follows:

Contact Us in Person, Over the Phone, or With a Message

If you want to show up in person, we are located at 3020 18th St, Suite 4. Should you decide to call, we can be reached at 402-562-1463. You can send a message through Facebook or use the form on the right-hand side of this blog.

Provide Your Name and Number

Whether you show up in person, send a message, or call on the phone, one of the first questions you’ll be asked is what is your name. Then, you’ll need to provide a phone number so that we can contact you.

Step 2: Check Out Classes Offered by PVLA

While you wait to find out if you can get into a CCC ESL class, you can check out the classes offered by the PVLA. You don’t need to take a test or wait for these classes; you can join at any time!

Here are the options you can choose from:

• Introductory ESL – Tuesdays from 9:00 to 11:00 am
• Introductory ESL and Integration Class – Thursdays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm
• Book Club – Mondays from 5:00 to 6:00 pm and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
• Conversational English – Tuesdays from 5:00 to 6:00 pm; Wednesdays from 5:00 to 6:00 pm; and Fridays from 9:00 to 10:00 am
• Integration Class – Saturdays from 10:00 to 11:00 at the Columbus Public Library in the FNBO Conference Room

ESL Class Options

You may or may not be able to get into a CCC ESL class, but while you wait, you have options. The PVLA offers classes that will help you obtain some English skills and prepare you for the next step in your educational journey. Get in touch with us today!

Welcome Back!

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk

To our returning students and to the new ones, welcome back! We look forward to being part of your educational journey in 2025 and helping you achieve all of your educational goals!

The PVLA will be offering some new classes in 2025, so stay tuned for more information and a schedule of when those classes will be held.

New Jobs for the New Year

Photo by Linda Eller-Shein

The PVLA will be adding two new classes to the roster in 2025, and we are looking for instructors for these positions. The details are included below, as are the links to apply on Indeed.

These positions may be contract and a limited number of hours per week, but you can make a huge impact on students' lives. We hope you'll consider working for us!

Classes start in February 2025. Pay for both positions is $21.75/hour.

Introductory ESL Instructor

You do not need to be bilingual to teach this class. Teaching experience is not required but beneficial.

A high school diploma or equivalent is required, while any level of college education is preferred. 

The Introductory ESL class gives adult students the foundation they need to learn the English language. The 1-hour weekly class is designed to provide basic information such as teaching students the alphabet, numbers, colors, and how to introduce themselves, among others.

The classes are centered around 12 lessons, which are taught on a continuous loop throughout the year. Curriculum is available, so instructors do not have to develop lessons from scratch.

The class meets on Tuesday mornings from 9:00 to 11:00 am at the Family Resource Center, 3020 18th St, Columbus, NE.

Interested? Apply on Indeed.

Integration and Introductory ESL Class Instructor

You do not need to be bilingual to teach this class. Teaching experience is not required but beneficial.

A high school diploma or equivalent is required, while any level of college education is preferred. Pay rate is $21.75/hour.

The goal of the Integration Class is to help transition newcomers to the area into their new community. The class is designed to provide basic information such as where and how to apply for jobs, how to find doctors and dentists and make appointments, how to navigate the community, and how to open a bank account, among others.

In addition to learning how to live in the new community, for individuals who have no to low English-speaking skills, the Introductory ESL class gives adult students the foundation they need to learn the English language.

The classes are centered around 12 lessons, which are taught on a continuous loop throughout the year. Curriculum is available, so instructors do not have to develop lessons from scratch.

The class meets for 2 hours on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 at the Family Resource Center, 3020 18th St, Columbus, NE.

Intrigued? Apply on Indeed.

Apple Tasting with Family Learning

On November 21, the Family Learning class participated in apple tasting. The purpose of this event was to expose students to a variety of different apples (there are so many!) and to help them learn new vocabulary words that are associated with foods.

It was so much fun being part of this event. There were 5 different apple options to choose from, including red delicious, golden delicious, Granny Smith, Braeburn, and fuji.

One might think that all apples taste the same, but that’s far from the truth—and some are more delicious than others! It was delightful watching the students try apples and react to them. They also did a really good job of using their new vocabulary words.

Here are some pictures from the apple tasting for your viewing pleasure!

Golden delicious apples were not his favorite! 

Cultural Conversations with the Community

On November 19, 2024, Central Community College (CCC) Adult Education hosted a Cultural Conversations with the Community event.

Students enrolled in ESL classes created poster boards about their life, and community members were invited to ask questions and learn about what brought these students to Columbus.

Two sessions were held: one in the morning, and one in the evening. These coincided with the times that the ESL classes are offered at CCC. Students at each of the levels (1/2, 3/4, and 5/6) had created boards and were available to speak to others.

The event was made possible by a mini-grant from Central Community College and funding from the Columbus Area United Way.

The Cultural Conversations with the Community went incredibly well. It was so inspiring and heartwarming to witness the interactions and hear the students speak about their lives. Here are some photos from the morning session of the event: