Friday, March 28, 2014

ESL Volunteer Mini Session

A big THANK YOU to Robin Feistel from Literacy Connexus for presenting, and to all of our MAM volunteers that were able to attend!
 
We learned so much and had a great turnout with more than 30 volunteers from 10+ different ministries

See any familiar faces in the pictures below? I bet you will.  Enjoy!





















Citizenship Graduates from February/March 2014 course

Congrats to all of our Citizenship students and volunteers for another wonderful session!


Some of our morning citizenship students and volunteers.
 
Some of our evening citizenship students and volunteers.
 Citizenship class is a 6 week course that guides students through the naturalization process.
Course topics include: U.S. history and government (including 100 civics questions), English reading/writing/listening and speaking skills, and also the N-400 Naturalization Application.
 
Volunteer Bob acting as an immigration officer in the student's mock interview.
Students participate in mock interviews and later are able to complete and submit their N-400 through our partnership with Catholic Charities.
 


MAM will have a new session in May:   Upcoming May/June Citizenship Class Information

For more information on eligibility requirements and process information please visit the  USCIS website  or watch the below USCIS video.
 
More graduation pictures!!!









Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Updated English Practice Websites

Volunteers, here are some great links for supplemental material, ideas and fun in the classroom!

Students, here are a lot of great sites to practice your English :)
 

Additional Links for our ESL Curriculum:
Great General Resources:

Other ESL resources:
1. Icebreakers
2. Grammar
3.Pronunciation
4. Activities/Games
5. Conversation/Speaking
8. Business English
9. Seasonal/Holidays

10. Civics
11. Computer Skills
Additional Links for our Citizenship Curriculum:


    Tuesday, March 25, 2014

    April/May Free GED Classes

     FREE GED PROGRAM
    ORIENTATION & REGISTRATION

    REGISTRATION / ORIENTATION:
    Monday, March 24th, 2014

    TIME: 9:00 am

    Þ First Day of Class:  April 2, 2014

    Þ Last Day of Class:  March 23, 2014

    Class Schedule

       Monday, Wednesday & Fridays: 9-12pm
    If you have questions, please call 
    Harris County Department of Education - Adult Education Division
    at 713-692-6216

     

    Monday, March 24, 2014

    New Summer ESL Classes!

    English as a Second Language (ESL) - Free  Classes for Adults

    MAM’s adult English as a Second Language (ESL) courses empower non-native speakers to go to work and participate in their children’s education. 

    For more information, contact
    Classes are held at four locations (map below). See below for information about registration and class times, or view the MAM ESL Calendar.

    Summer 2014 ESL Schedule/ Horario primavera

    Day Classes (Clases durante el dia)

    Memorial Assistance Ministries – 1625 Blalock, 77080
    Registration: Tuesday, May 27th 2014, 9am-12pm
    Inscripcion: El 27 de mayo, 9am-12pm
    First day of class: Tuesday, June 3rd / Primer día de clases: martes, el 3 de junio
    Last day of class: Thursday,July 24th/ El último día de clases: jueves, el 24 de julio
    Classes are on Tuesday & Thursday / Las clases son el martes y jueves
    □ Level 0 (Basic) 9am-12pm□ Level 2 12pm-2pm
    □ Level 1 9am-12pm□ Conversation 12pm-2pm

    Night Classes (Clases Nocturnas)

    St. Thomas Presbyterian Church – 14100 Memorial Drive, 77079
    Registration: Thursday, May 29th, 2014 6-8pm
    Incripcion: El 29 de mayo 6-8pm
    First day of class: Tuesday, June 3rd / Primer día de clases: martes, el 3 de junio
    Last day of class: Thursday, July 24th El último día de clases: jueves, el 24 de julio
    Classes are on Tuesday & Thursday / Las clases son el martes y jueves
    Classes are on Tuesday & Thursday / Las clases son el martes y jueves
    □ Level 0 (Basic) 6pm-8pm□ Level 2 6pm-8pm
    □ Level 1 6pm-8pm□ Conversation 6pm-8pm

    Don't Miss Out!


      
    Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
     
    Every April, we look forward to recognizing our great volunteer worforce during National Volunteer Appreciation Week.  We invite all MAM Volunteers to attend the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner! There will be an invitation going out via e-mail next week and an RSVP Sign-Up sheet in the breakroom.
      
    WHEN: Tuesday, April 8th
    5:00-7:00PM
      
    WHERE: Chapelwood United Methodist Church
    11140 Greenbay St, Houston, TX 77024
      
    WHY: Our mission would not be possible without the continued support and dedication of our over 400 volunteers. We want to say THANK YOU!
      

    New Citizenship Class

    Prepare for the U.S. Citizenship Exam at MAM!

    REGISTRATION:

    Wednesday, April 30th from 12pm-2pm
    At MAM, 1625 Blalock (between Long Point and Hammerly)

    Class Hours:
    Classes will be held Mondays and Wednesdays from 12 :00pm–2:00 pm
    Duration: 6 weeks
    The first class will be held on Monday, May 5th 2014.
    The last class will be Monday, June 16th 2014
    Space is limited, first come first served basis.

    For more Information, please contact,
    Amanda Perez:
    aperez@maministries.org, 713-468-4516 Ext 131
    Or Ana Stewart/Estefania Hernandez:
    astewart@maministries.org, 713-468-4516 Ext 139

    We bid farewell to a great ESL Teacher- whose second language is also English..

     
    When Ambria Van Steenbergen first arrived in Houston during 2012, she was looking to teach science. After searching through many opportunities, she discovered MAM's English as a Second Language Program and she decided to give it a go! Ambria is now teaching Level 1 at Fairhaven United Methodist Church, one of MAM's five ESL locations.
     
    Ambria truly enjoys her volunteer work saying, "The students are very nice and really grateful. They are working hard and it is nice to see the progress they have made!" Ambria will soon move back to the Netherlands with her family and says that she would like to continue teaching either Science or ESL.  "I will see what opportunities are there for me. However, I am really happy I got the opportunity here in Houston to teach ESL!"
     
    Student Quote: "I am really happy at Ambria's class. She is very kind. I wish we had her class every day." - Sabrina Vega
     
     
    Thank you Ambria for choosing to teach at MAM!
    We'll miss you, but we wish you the best in your return back home.
      
    If you are interested in getting involved in our ESL Program, please contact Angel America Elza, Volunteer coordinator at 713-574-7540 or aelza@maministries.org.
     

    Thursday, March 13, 2014

    Rosalia's Story

    MAM ESL classes are diverse! MAM ESL classes are fun! MAM ESL classes are filled with unique and hardworking people!

    Today we want to share the story of our ESL student, Rosalia Bravo. She is a hardworking student, mother of four, that wants to obtain her citizenship and improve her English skills for the work place. As a housekeeper, Rosalia needs to be in constant contact with her clients.  Since she started taking evening ESL classes at MAM in 2013,  the communication with her employers has improved - "Now I can text my clients using the new grammar I learned in class.  Now, they better understand me!" - She finds English class very interesting and enjoys learning about grammar and verb tenses. She is also very happy with her teachers saying, "They make a lot of effort to understand us. They have patience, the class has helped me improve my English." Rosalia is also enrolled in our Citizenship class. Her sons inspired her to fill out the application, but after taking the class she realizes "how important it is to do the process" and looks forward to her interview date. Rosalia enjoys knitting during her free time and loves spending time with her family. 

    MAM ESL classes cater to a diverse group of people. Each individual helps make our classes more diverse and unique with their personal goals and dreams. They are an inspiration to all of us! 



    Rosalia with her family

    For more information on ESL or Citizenship Classes Click Here
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