Author: diocesan-reston

Student Information and Registration for Fall 2024 Classes

Student Registration and Placement Testing

The St. John Neumann English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program will be registering and testing for placement of new students for Fall 2024 classes on Sunday, July 14 and Sunday, July 21 after the 2 p.m. Mass. 

Both new and returning students need to complete the registration form on this page. New students will test to determine their appropriate level of English learning (Testing requires less than 30 minutes) and pay the $20 registration fee at placement testing.

Registration Fee

The $20 Registration Fee covers the Fall 2024 semester and Winter/Spring 2025 semester of the academic year as well as the textbook/workbook. Current online students continuing with online classes do not need to pay the fee. New students must pay the Registration Fee no later than August 31, 2024, in order to receive textbooks at the first class.

Class Details

All new English classes will be taught in-person at St. John Neumann on Thursday mornings and evenings beginning September 19, 2024. Current online students can continue their online classes with their current teachers or switch to an appropriate-level, in-person class. 

Student orientation will be on the first day of classes. Teacher availability will determine final class times, and students will be notified.

To Register Now

Please download the fillable PDF Student Registration Form, complete, save a copy to your device, and email as an attachment to esl.stjohnneumann@gmail.com.

The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program at St. John Neumann is looking for additional volunteer teachers for the Spring Semester of 2025. Currently, the program has 15 teachers working with 30 students, both online, using the ZOOM program, and in-person in classes held at St. John Neumann. Since Fall 2022, our new classes have all been in-person classes on Thursday mornings and evenings. 

Requirements

Teaching English to speakers of other languages requires only a true interest in helping students learn English and patience since English is a difficult language to learn. Being fluent or knowledgeable in the native language of the students (mostly, but not exclusively, Spanish) is helpful, but not required. 

Textbooks and Curriculum

We are using the Oxford University Press’ Step Forward textbooks and workbooks for these classes, so there is a curriculum to follow for each one of the five levels of English proficiency. Each teacher is provided with a hard copy of the textbook and workbook for their teaching level, a digital copy of the textbook, and access to the online Teacher Resource Center (provided by OUP for each teaching level) that provides additional teaching resources and a method for measuring student progress throughout the year. We have a teacher orientation meeting in September, prior to the start of the Fall Semester.

Classes 

We have reserved classrooms for English classes on Thursday mornings (10 a.m. – 11 a.m.) and Thursday evenings (7 p.m. – 8 p.m.). Volunteer teachers should indicate their preference and availability to teach during one (or both) of these two periods each Thursday. Class size varies each semester, but generally, the Level 1 classes attract the largest number of students. If there are more than five students in a class, we try to assign two teachers (subject to availability) to that class to teach as a team. Historically, our courses have the highest student attendance early in the semester. Our students are busy, working adults, and most have families and the many obligations and uncertainties that go along with both. Consequently, we lose some students over a semester or full academic year. Nonetheless, many students are able to persevere and continue to learn English throughout the full academic year, and this is the opportunity that we strive to present to each student.   

If you are interested in serving others as an ESOL program teacher, please complete the below registration. Any additional questions can be directed to esl.stjohnneumann@gmail.com.

To Register Now

Please download the fillable PDF Student Registration Form, complete, save a copy to your device, and email as an attachment to esl.stjohnneumann@gmail.com.

On Friday, May 5, 2023, we held our second annual Cinco de Mayo celebration. It was an enjoyable evening of dance, food, and margaritas.

On Tuesday, March 21, we celebrated World Down Syndrome Day. Our keynote speaker was SJN Parishioner and Eagle Scout Leo Weeks, an advocate for the Down’s community. Leo discussed his Eagle Scout project, the construction of a mini-library style box with 24 Rosaries and 24 copies of the “A Scout is Reverent” handbook. The day also featured a celebration walk and food trucks.

If you were unable to attend Live Jesus 2023, or if you want to hear the presentations again, we have you covered.

• Brother Mickey McGrath: “Be at Peace”
• Sister Susan Louise Eder: “Crooked Paths to Peace”
• Dr. Tom Opfer: “Finding Peace Amidst Everyday Business” –  
• Fr. John Kolodziej: Homily at Live Jesus Mass