Berkeley Parents Network: English as a Second Language Classes

Berkeley Parents Network

English as a Second Language Classes

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Classes & Lessons > English as a Second Language Classes

ESL classes for my parents
Laotian nanny wants to learn how to read English
ESL classes for Japanese-speaking husband
Tibetan friend wants intensive live-in program
ESL classes for Spanish-speaking teens
Tutors for English announcements
Teaching ESL
related page: Mandatory ESL testing for bilingual kids in public school?

ESL classes for my parents

June 2005

My parents are visiting us for 6 months from a foreign country and I would like them to have an opportunity to learn some English (beginners) while they are here. We live south berkeley, near campus and can drive them to classes in evenings and weekends, or they can take a bus to classes during the day. Can someone recommend a few programs for us? Thank you so much for your time. Your information will be very much appreciated. -Sharon

Both Berkeley (510-644-6130, on San Pablo Ave near Virginia) and Albany (510-559-6580, on Brighton Ave in Albany, not far from the El Cerrito Bart station)Adult Schools offer free ESL classes. R.K

Laotian nanny wants to learn how to read English

Nov. 2003

Our Laotian nanny would like to learn how to read English. I have called the literacy department at the Berkeley Public Library three times and no one has ever called me back. I would like to find a tutor who would volunteer to help her learn how to read. Any recommendations would be much appreciated. Thanks, Madeleine

Albany and Berkeley adult schools (and probably others) offer ESL classes free. I would assume they include reading (not just speaking), but I guess you'd want to ask that first. R.K.

ESL classes for Japanese-speaking husband

Nov. 2003

We are looking for a ESL English teacher/tutor for my husband. He was born and raised in Japan and speaks minimal English. Just as in teaching driving skills, I haven't been successful in becoming his good teacher. His hours is very limited to attend to any of ESL classes. The only time he has is sometime between 2pm and 4pm on weekdays, sometime before 10 Am on weekdays, or before 3pm on Saturday. (in worse case, possible after 10pm) Please let me know if you know someone who can teach him English in those limited hours. Thank you. needing help mom

Hello, I am an ESL specialist that does private tutoring. I also speak Japanese, although usually not while teaching. I am a full time mom so my schedule is limited but I would be happy to discuss schedules with you. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu! Melissa Cole mommacole AT yahoo.com

Dear woman looking for an ESL teacher for your husband: I am an ESL college instructor with a Masters degree and a lot of experience teaching English to speakers of Japanese. I have taught at Mills College and California State University in Hayward. I quit working to have a baby last year, and have not yet found work, so I am always free in the morning or afternoon to teach. Christine

You might want to consider online English classes. The technology is such now that online classes are almost identical to regular classes, but you can study from home and at odd hours! It could be a great solution with his limited availability. I have an MA TESOL and an MS Education with an emphasis in online teaching. I coordinate the online ESL program at San Jose State University, and teach most of the classes. http://www.sal.sjsu.edu - I'd love to have your husband in one of my classes! Or we could arrange for private online tutoring. Please feel free to contact me for more information about online options. Jaime

A very good friend of mine is an ESL teacher for UC Berkeley and Contra Costa College. She has a lot of experience teaching English to Japanese students, so would be a good fit for your husband. Her name is Bonu and you can contact her at the following email: bonu AT uclink4.berkeley.edu

Hello. I am an ESL teacher with many years of experience teaching Japanese students. I worked at GEOS, a very large Japanese language school, in New York for many years before relocating to the Bay Area. I am available for private teaching and my hours currently are pretty flexible. I have my own supplies and many text books to choose from and can tailor the lesson to your husband's needs. If you are interested you can email me at yolu@sbcglobal.net or feel free to call me at 510-418-0248. Laura

I would like to recommend Sierra Melcher to your husband for ESL classes. Sierra has a graduate degree in education with specialized ESL training and is a devoted, creative and enthusiastic teacher who has worked with a wide range of ESL students: varying levels, cultural backgrounds, experience in the US, etc. She's a talented young woman with a grounded, steady energy. She lives in San Francisco but has a flexible schedule and comes to Berkeley as needed for work. She is interested in business and Japanese culture and among her gifts are the patience and care to adapt her teaching methods to her student's needs. I can recommend her highly. You can contact her at sierramelcher AT hotmail.com. Charlotte

Tibetan friend wants intensive live-in program

Sept 2003

I have a Tibetan friend who wants to come to California this winter for an approximately 4-month long English program. He would like to be on a program which teaches both intensive conversation and intensive writing courses. His spoken English is quite good, his written English is a bit weaker, but reading comprehension is good. He needs a program which is rigorous but quite flexible so that he can do it this winter for about 4 months or so. He is perhaps interested in a rural setting where room and board expenses may be cheaper. Any recommendations you could provide would be much appreciated. Julie

As a former ESL instructor, I'm aware of several intensive English programs in the Bay Area and up in the Sacramento area. The IEP at the UC Davis Extension has 10-week sessions with the winter one starting in January. The rent is considerably less expensive than the Bay Area. The program includes courses in all academic skills. Judy

ESL classes for Spanish-speaking teens

Sept 2001

My nanny's kids (aged 19 and 20) have just arrived from El Salvador. She is eager to enroll them in a high quality, fairly intensive English language program, having been unimpressed with what she's been able to find on her own. Any recommendations out there? Dmeasham

I think that City College in San Francisco does a fairly good job and has students that will tutor for free in addition to the classes (as part of their financial aid packages). Check out their online class listing. http://www.ccsf.cc.ca.us/ Liz

I got a flyer at Cal Day for ESL classes at University Village. I don't have the flyer anymore, but it might be worth calling the office.

July 2000

UCBerkeley Extension runs two 5-week intensive ESL programs- June through mid-August.Call 643-7707 for exact dates and other info. Students generally are high school grads from all over the world who may or may not intend to continue their studies in the US. Also available are shorter (3 weeks) less academic programs that involve excursions. For more info. on these, call 642-2043. Mills College's English Center for International Women (ECIW) offers short courses as well (for women only), and there are several private schools in the area too, that cater to the visiting post-high school student. D.G. (7/00)

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