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.

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.

The Second Session of Introductory ESL

Thanks to a grant from Tyson, the PVLA was able to offer an Introductory ESL class. The first 12-week session was held from March 21st to June 20th, and the second session just ended on October 2nd.

On average, 5 students attended each class, with the largest class having 8 students total. Most of these students were attendees from the first session, which means they enjoyed the lessons so much, they were willing to come back for more! Attendance consistency is so important when it comes to learning a new language, and these individuals were committed to their studies.

Some of the things students learned included telling time and the calendar. Students were also exposed to numbers. They also practiced previous lessons they had learned, such as getting to know one another and conversing in English.

What the Future Holds

From now until the end of the year, there will be no more Introductory ESL classes. However, we plan on getting them started again in 2025. The hope is to be able to offer an evening class as well as the afternoon class to ensure we reach as many students as possible.

Overall, this class has been incredibly successful. The students have been excited to attend, and they learned a lot. By securing more funding, we’ll be able to expand the program and make a bigger impact.

We can’t wait to see what 2025 brings!

The First Session of the Introductory ESL Class Comes to a Close

 

It started with a $4,000 grant from Tyson Foods.

Then, on March 21, 2024, the first Introductory ESL was held, and 10 students signed up.

As the 12 weeks progressed, 8 students attended on a regular basis, and 6 of them will be transitioning into the English classes offered by CCC.

Overall, the class was an incredible success.

The Expectations

One thing to keep in mind when it comes to language learning is that success is not measured by leaps and bounds. Learning a new language is incredibly difficult, especially as an adult, but it’s not impossible. Here at the PVLA, when we look at success, even small advancements are a reason to celebrate.

When it comes to the Introductory ESL class, success is measured by the student’s ability to spell their name using the English alphabet and fill out forms in English. It may not seem like much, but it’s a huge step in the learning process—and these first students reached their goals and more.

The other purpose of the Introductory ESL class is to give students an idea of what to expect in the classroom. It’s possible that many of these adults haven’t been in a classroom for a long time (if ever). Knowing how to learn is beneficial and ensures current and future success. It also prepares students for the next step, which may be more classes.

The Final Day

On the final day of class, the Introductory ESL instructor tried to make it educational yet entertaining—and she was successful in her endeavors. Not only did the students get to show off how much they had learned about the alphabet, but they also got to enjoy some delicious food.

Here are some pictures from that final day.

If you’re wondering what they are doing, they are coming up with words based on the last letter of the word before it. For example, if the instructor gave them the letter D to start, the first student had to think of an animal that started with D. So, if the student wrote down D-O-G, the next student would need to come up with a word that started with G.

The purpose of the exercise is to get them thinking about the alphabet and using vocabulary skills. They had a lot of fun in the process.

The Next Session

If you ask us, the first session of the Introductory ESL class was a huge success, and we can’t wait for the next session to begin.

And we are having a next session!

It begins on July 18, 2024. Once again, it will be on Thursdays from 12:00 to 1:00 pm at the Columbus Family Resource Center (3020 18^th St, Suite 4).

For anyone who’s interested in signing up or has questions, please send an email to pvlacolumbusne @ yahoo.com (don’t forget to remove the spaces!) or call 402-562-1463.

A Good Start to Introductory ESL

Thanks to a $4,000 grant from Tyson Foods, the PVLA has been able to offer an Introductory ESL class to students. The first class was held on March 21, and as of April 25, six weeks of classes have been offered.

We are at the halfway mark for this 12-week course.

And let me tell you: we can’t be happier with how things are shaping up!

Welcoming New Students

The first class welcomed 7 students, and many of them continue to attend to this day. Every week, there has also been at least one new student joining in on the fun. Currently, 9 students are attending regularly.

The lessons that students are learning include filling out forms, numbers, and the alphabet, among others.

The instructor, Alicia, has already seen progress in her students. She says that when the students first started, they weren’t able to understand the command “Read the directions” when spoken in English.

However, now when she asks them to do that task (in English), they are able to comply—and do so promptly. They also know what it means to fill their names into forms and the difference between “reading” and “spelling” when it comes to assignments.

Measuring Success

When it comes to ESL success, progress isn’t measured in leaps and bounds; it’s measured in small increments. The progress the students have made in the Introductory ESL class is incredibly exciting and encouraging. We can’t wait to see what the next 6 weeks bring!

Introductory ESL classes are held on Thursdays from 12:00 to 1:00 pm at the Family Resource Center (3020 18th St, Suite 4) in Columbus, Nebraska. Anyone can join at any time.

For more information about this class, 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.