ESL Classes

[Thomas Promise]

My SO passed her Visa interview the other day and she has been taking English courses in China and of course she wishes to continue these vital lessons once she gets settled here. She is wishing to go 5 days per week. I think this is bit too much for her to start. The classes here are around an 1 to 2 1/2 hours each lesson depending on which location you choose. There many places that offer these lessons with in a 15 minute drive of our home which a plus. Does anyone have any recomendations on this. It would be highly appreciated.

[ameriken]

First, congratulations again Thomas. Isnt it a relief that the 'apart' phase is over?

 

Re: esl, I am in the same situation. Someone here recommended checking out the local high schools and colleges because they could possibly be free. I called one of our school districts that said they offered ESL, but they have not called me back yet. I guess you get what you pay for.

 

I checked out a professional school for ESL, and prices went into the thousands, I think like $1500 to $3000, and of course, it too is everyday and we feel that is too much.

 

I am trying to find something in-between but have not yet found it. I talked to Jie about online ESL, but she raised a good point, and that is the sound quality over the internet will never be the same as in person, and so she would prefer a 'live' setting. I had the same problem trying to learn some Chinese on some internet sites.

 

Perhaps this is not helpful to you, but I thought I would at least let you know what I am finding out so far.

Edited March 15, 2006 by ameriken (see edit history)

[IluvmyLi]

First, congratulations again Thomas. Isnt it a relief that the 'apart' phase is over?

 

Re: esl, I am in the same situation. Someone here recommended checking out the local high schools and colleges because they could possibly be free. I called one of our school districts that said they offered ESL, but they have not called me back yet. I guess you get what you pay for.

 

I checked out a professional school for ESL, and prices went into the thousands, I think like $1500 to $3000, and of course, it too is everyday and we feel that is too much.

 

I am trying to find something in-between but have not yet found it. I talked to Jie about online ESL, but she raised a good point, and that is the sound quality over the internet will never be the same as in person, and so she would prefer a 'live' setting. I had the same problem trying to learn some Chinese on some internet sites.

 

Perhaps this is not helpful to you, but I thought I would at least let you know what I am finding out so far.

198919[/snapback]

Ken you ever think about just teaching Jie yourself? We are fluent in English by the way.

[Trigg]

I've posted this before but here goes again. My wife refused to go to ESL--says because there are no other Chinese there. she has learned English from a Chinese TV program that is on for a half an hour every morning. Being a typical Chinese student she writes everything down and re-studies etc. I assist with the words that are not appropriate for TC. Long time ago I used to wish she could speak more English so we could talk.

 

WATCH WHAT YOU WISH FOR--now i can't get her to shut up!!

[Thomas Promise]

I've posted this before but here goes again. My wife refused to go to ESL--says because there are no other Chinese there. she has learned English from a Chinese TV program that is on for a half an hour every morning.  Being a typical Chinese student she writes everything down and re-studies etc.  I assist with the words that are not appropriate for TC.  Long time ago I used to wish she could speak more English so we could talk.

 

WATCH WHAT YOU WISH FOR--now i can't get her to shut up!!

198948[/snapback]

Remember Jimmy Durante?

 

"My wife has a slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then she stops to breathe."

Jimmy Durante

[LeeFisher3]

Tom here are a few ideas in your area, get on the phone and you might just be able to locate Free or low cost ESL classes in your area. I found the links to the business centers that offer the $1k/week classes too, but I'll bet you can find someone in this list that will point you in the right direction.

 

Going to class 5 days a week will probably be a bit too much, we had to cut back a bit on the all day classes because she was just exhausted by the end of the week. Now we are doing 4 hours a day 4 days a week and it's better for her in many ways.

 

The Lane Library

Miami University Hamilton

Dana Katz, ESL Specialist Miami University

Hamilton County Educational Service Center

Ohio Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages

Hamilton/Clermont Cooperative Association

 

Main Street Schoolhouse

Serving Butler County's growing hispanic population by providing English as a Second Language (ESL) education classes for adults.

6 South D Street

Hamilton, Ohio 45013

513.894.0403

513.868.0999 fax

 

Booker T. Washington Community Center

Provides educational, recreational, and social services to support the needs of children, youth, adults and seniors in the 2nd and 4th Ward community.

1140 S. Front St.

Hamilton, Ohio 45011

513.785.2451

513.785.2454 fax

Edited March 16, 2006 by LeeFisher3 (see edit history)

[jim_julian]

The work ethic of most of these ladies is amazing ... I wouldn't necessarily dismiss the idea of ESL class 5 days a week.

[LeeFisher3]

The work ethic of most of these ladies is amazing ... I wouldn't necessarily dismiss the idea of ESL class 5 days a week.

199047[/snapback]

My wife did this for 2 months from 8:30am - 3:30pm and finally I had to insist she take a day off to rest. She was definately game and driven to learn, but she was mentally exhausted. When we changed to the 4 day a week schedule she actually was able to retain more than with the longer days and I feel she is happier.

[Michael and Manyun]

The work ethic of most of these ladies is amazing ... I wouldn't necessarily dismiss the idea of ESL class 5 days a week.

199047[/snapback]

While we are waiting for the K-1 process to slowly wind its way to completion, my SO takes English classes five evenings a week. Her 11 year old daughter now accompanies here. She occasionally complains about having dificulty (very occasionally), but has commented that she realizes how much it will will not only help with our relationship, but also be of benefit to her when she finally arrives. She is determined.

 

She knows that she cannot live an isolated life, and will need to be able to communicate with others not only socially, but also if she expects to find employment. I live in an area with a large percentage of immigrants. ESL classes abound. My fear, however, is that she will be far outnumbered and intimidated by an ethnic group that believes it is your responsibility to learn to understand them, and not the other way around.

Edited March 17, 2006 by Michael and Manyun (see edit history)

[LeeFisher3]

The work ethic of most of these ladies is amazing ... I wouldn't necessarily dismiss the idea of ESL class 5 days a week.

199047[/snapback]

While we are waiting for the K-1 process to slowly wind its way to completion, my SO takes English classes five evenings a week. Her 11 year old daughter now accompanies here. She occasionally complains about having dificulty (very occasionally), but has commented that she realizes how much it will will not only help with our relationship, but also be of benefit to her when she finally arrives. She is determined.

 

She knows that she cannot live an isolated life, and will need to be able to communicate with others not only socially, but also if she expects to find employment. I live in an area with a large percentage of immigrants. ESL classes abound. My fear, however, is that she will be far outnumbered and intimidated by an ethnic group that believes it is your responsibility to learn to understand them, and not the other way around.

199566[/snapback]

You shouldn't worry too much, most of the ESL schools push hard on the idea that all students should practice English together at school. It's great to watch them help each other with English in ways that native speakers are not able.

[Thomas Promise]

Tom here are a few ideas in your area, get on the phone and you might just be able to locate Free or low cost ESL classes in your area. I found the links to the business centers that offer the $1k/week classes too, but I'll bet you can find someone in this list that will point you in the right direction.

 

Going to class 5 days a week will probably be a bit too much, we had to cut back a bit on the all day classes because she was just exhausted by the end of the week. Now we are doing 4 hours a day 4 days a week and it's better for her in many ways.

 

The Lane Library

Miami University Hamilton

Dana Katz, ESL Specialist Miami University

Hamilton County Educational Service Center

Ohio Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages

Hamilton/Clermont Cooperative Association

 

Main Street Schoolhouse

Serving Butler County's growing hispanic population by providing English as a Second Language (ESL) education classes for adults.

6 South D Street

Hamilton, Ohio 45013

513.894.0403

513.868.0999 fax

 

Booker T. Washington Community Center

Provides educational, recreational, and social services to support the needs of children, youth, adults and seniors in the 2nd and 4th Ward community.

1140 S. Front St.

Hamilton, Ohio 45011

513.785.2451

513.785.2454 fax

199042[/snapback]

Thanks Lee for your very helpful information. Also Lihua thanks Hong Min for her help and most importantly being her good friend.

[tonado]

My wife took 1.5 years of ESL classes (4 days a week for 2 hrs). Then she went back to China for 6 months. Now she has been taking GED classes for 5 months (3 days a week - 3 hrs a day). I think she rather go school than work full time.

[Guest Paul]

I've posted this before but here goes again. My wife refused to go to ESL--says because there are no other Chinese there. she has learned English from a Chinese TV program that is on for a half an hour every morning.  Being a typical Chinese student she writes everything down and re-studies etc.  I assist with the words that are not appropriate for TC.  Long time ago I used to wish she could speak more English so we could talk.

 

WATCH WHAT YOU WISH FOR--now i can't get her to shut up!!

198948[/snapback]

Thanks for the advice ...

[BillV 8-16-2004]

I've posted this before but here goes again. My wife refused to go to ESL--says because there are no other Chinese there. she has learned English from a Chinese TV program that is on for a half an hour every morning.  Being a typical Chinese student she writes everything down and re-studies etc.  I assist with the words that are not appropriate for TC.  Long time ago I used to wish she could speak more English so we could talk.

 

WATCH WHAT YOU WISH FOR--now i can't get her to shut up!!

198948[/snapback]

Thanks for the advice ...

200661[/snapback]

My wife is attending ESL class 5 days a week from 8:30 - 11:45 here in California, there is no charge and there are so many ESL classes available here. My wife is the only Chinese in her class, most being Hispanics (she reminds them she is not there to learn Spanish); she feels that concentrating solely on English is to her advantage. Then at times she realizes that there could be some advantage working together with someone who does speaks her language. Eventually I would like her to reduce her classes to three days a week. It has been a good experience for her, I always try to spend time with her at the end of my day to review which seems to help greatly, she currently has gotten familiar with the bus service and interacting with others which is a benefit.

Edited April 10, 2006 by BillV 8-16-2004 (see edit history)

[Jonathan]

You can go to any "city college" close to your area.

If she does non-credit classes. It is FREE.

If credit classes, then it is around $26 per unit, which is rather cheap

compared to private esl classes.

 

I found a bunch of campuses recently through visiting a local city college. They have numerous branches around the city, and luckily I was able to find one of their branches within a 10 minute drive from my house.

Edited May 15, 2006 by Jonathan (see edit history)