2008 Woodie Awards
Volunteers needed to assist ESL students
SONIA TREVIZO
Arbiter Journalist
Issue date: 10/13/08 Section: News
Students who want to try teaching before they get their degree have a new opportunity.
Boise State University is seeking volunteers to tutor students enrolled in English as a Second Language classes.
Many of students enrolled in ESL are refugees or immigrants who are new to the United States.
Some students just need a conversation partner, while others need help with their ESL class work.
“We have some students who are very good speakers, but need help with reading and writing,” Tutor Coordinator Ruth Miller said. “And we have students who are not confident speaking and need one-on-one with someone to practice. Other students are studying for their citizenship.”
In comparison to other Boise State courses, some of the classes have up to 40 students with four hours of class a week.
“Why we are looking for volunteers is because some of our students need more attention than our classes can provide,” Miller said.
Some particular needs include pronunciation, reading, writing and grammar. Volunteers don’t need to be experienced in ESL tutoring.
“The only requirement for volunteering is desire,” Miller said. “We have lots of materials and as they say, ‘The work will teach you how.’”
Volunteers are needed all throughout the day: mornings, afternoons and evenings.
Interested students can e-mail Miller at rmerrill@boisestate.edu or call 426-3440. E-mail is the most efficient. Miller said she will happily arrange a time that is convenient for any volunteers to meet and acquaint them with the program.
Boise State University is seeking volunteers to tutor students enrolled in English as a Second Language classes.
Many of students enrolled in ESL are refugees or immigrants who are new to the United States.
Some students just need a conversation partner, while others need help with their ESL class work.
“We have some students who are very good speakers, but need help with reading and writing,” Tutor Coordinator Ruth Miller said. “And we have students who are not confident speaking and need one-on-one with someone to practice. Other students are studying for their citizenship.”
In comparison to other Boise State courses, some of the classes have up to 40 students with four hours of class a week.
“Why we are looking for volunteers is because some of our students need more attention than our classes can provide,” Miller said.
Some particular needs include pronunciation, reading, writing and grammar. Volunteers don’t need to be experienced in ESL tutoring.
“The only requirement for volunteering is desire,” Miller said. “We have lots of materials and as they say, ‘The work will teach you how.’”
Volunteers are needed all throughout the day: mornings, afternoons and evenings.
Interested students can e-mail Miller at rmerrill@boisestate.edu or call 426-3440. E-mail is the most efficient. Miller said she will happily arrange a time that is convenient for any volunteers to meet and acquaint them with the program.
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