Category: News and Events

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

On Friday, February 10, we held our SJN Black History Month celebration. Our keynote speaker was Bishop Roy E. Campbell, Jr., from the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. Bishop Campbell spoke about how he went from being a businessman to now a Bishop. The world-famous St. Augustine Gospel Choir provided musical selections, including a rousing rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known a the Black National Anthem. A reception followed the program.