Library Features: What's New @ The Library
ESL Programs for the Fall
To help members of the community who want assistance with their English language skills, the East Brunswick Public Library will be offering a variety of free classes and workshops aimed at English language learners in the coming months.
Starting on Fridays in August, EBPL will host Community English Conversation Groups, which will help those newly arrived to the township acclimate and practice English at the same time. On Mondays in September and October, the library will hold an Accent Reduction Workshop lead by an accent specialist.
As part the grant awarded to the library for Global Connections @ East Brunswick, EBPL will be offering these classes free of charge.
If you are recently arrived in this community from another country, can speak and understand English at an intermediate or advanced level, and are interested in learning more about the local community, these classes are for you.
The Community English Conversation Group will give participants a chance to practice speaking with others; gain an understanding of local culture, community, and municipal services; learn about local and civic matters and how to navigate them; and meet and connect with others. Guest speakers will be on hand to help answer any questions you may have about life in East Brunswick. The first session meets on Friday, August 21 at 10 a.m. at the library.
Amy Dixon, a certified TESOL teacher, will be leading a four-part accent reduction workshop that will begin in September. Students will be introduced to the various elements of American English pronunciation, with an emphasis on intonation, stress, clarity, and rhythm. Awareness and practice will raise confidence levels and result in more accurate, comprehensible English. Registration is required for the accent workshop, and will be held on Monday, August 14 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the library.
East Brunswick was one of three recipients of the American Library Association Dollar General American Dream Starts @ your library grant in New Jersey. Global Connections @ East Brunswick is a year-long program that aims to bring advanced cultural and business immersion ESL to the community through programming, materials, and technology. Business English Conversation Group, resume/job searching workshops, and networking gatherings are being planned for the late fall and winter.
For more information about these classes or other upcoming programs, call Jill D’Amico at 732-290-6772 or email jdamico@ebpl.org.
