Monday, July 19, 2021

Registration and testing now for free English classes at Church of the Ascension in Oakland.

Registration and testing is now open for free English classes at the Church of the Ascension in Oakland. From a July 16 Facebook post:
We are registering students now and testing them for FREE English classes for internationals. We offer levels 0-6 mostly in person on Monday mornings (9:00 am), Wednesday evenings (6:30 pm) and Thursday evenings (6:30 pm) starting September 13, 15, 16th and some classes online. You can attend one or three classes a week. We offer citizenship classes for levels 2 and 3, writing, speaking, listening and speaking, grammar and speaking, and pronunciation and speaking. We also offer special clubs and field trips and some one on one conversation partners. Contact Pittsburghenglish4u@gmial.com or contact us through church of the Ascension on Ellsworth Avenue in North Oakland (4729 Ellsworth) . All books are secular; however, English learner Bible studies are also offered on various days.
More information is available on the church's website. Those interested should contact Pittsburghenglish4u@gmail.com.

Friday, July 16, 2021

“Bad” English: Dismantling Stigma Taking Down Barriers to Communication, July 29 at Pitt.


This is not an ESL class but rather a discussion on "Bad" English and what that means for international students in American higher education settings. It is part of the 2021 Diversity Forum held online by the University of Pittsburgh this month.
Presenters: Salvatore Poier

This panel focuses on the importance of diversity of accents and English constructions in the classrooms. Goal: enriching our appreciation of foreign accents and "bad" English. We aim at promoting a more inclusive classroom, where everyone can feel welcomed and appreciated also because of their bad English. With a growing population of ESL students, it is fundamental for Pitt to nourish and appreciate different accents, sentence constructions. These often underline different ways of thinking and processing language that enrich us and our students. Moreover, many American students coming from unprivileged backgrounds also need to learn academic English almost as if it was another language. The panel, which will include ESL speakers, will focus on the difficulties of entering a “perfect” English dominated world, and how the preoccupation of speaking perfectly can get in the way of social and academic relations. How do we balance our duty to correct grammar? Isn’t it, often, more important to privilege communication over grammatical correctness? How can we encourage our students to look at grammatical errors as windows into a different way of conceiving the world? This panel aims at starting a conversation on tolerance, understanding, and exposure to diversity that leads to better communicating and accepting differences, breaking down a form of oppression that disadvantages both unprivileged native and non-native speakers. (Bad English used on purpose here)
The event runs from 2:00 to 3:15 pm online and is free and open to the public, though advance registration is required.

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Low-cost "Community English Courses for Speakers of Other Languages" at Pitt's English Language Institute, from January 2021.

The University of Pittsburgh's English Language Institute will again offer low-cost Community Conversation Courses and Speaking and Listening for Communication from January 2021. Both courses will take place online during the Spring 2021 term. Registration information is available online and on the flyer above.

Thursday, August 6, 2020

Free online classes in pronunciation, grammar, conversation, and idioms with Shadyside's Church of the Ascension, from September 14.



Shadyside's Church of the Ascension, which typically offers low-cost ESL classes, will offer free online Zoom classes in online classes in pronunciation, grammar, conversation, and idioms from September 14.
We are offering free online zoom ENGLISH classes for internationals at Church of the Ascension English program in Shadyside in pronunciation, grammar, conversation, and idioms. Trained Teachers. Non-religious books for English. Monday mornings 9:00 -10:30 am, Wednesday evenings, and Thursday evenings. 6:30-8:00 pm.
Contact Pittsburghenglish4u@gmail.com to test and register.
Classes start Sept. 14th
All levels. Field trips and special speakers now.

Monday, January 27, 2020

International Cafe, "Building Blocks: Writing Solid Paragraphs," January 31 at Pitt.



The University of Pittsburgh's Writing Center will hold its next International Cafe on January 31 on the topic of "Building Blocks: Writing Solid Paragraphs."
Paragraphs are the building blocks of argumentative essays, but they are often very tough to write. it's easy to digress or fall into paraphrase, and even easier to not indicate the purpose of the paragraph and how it fits in with the paragraphs around it. Come to find out more about how to write strong, evidence-based paragraphs.
It runs from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the University of Pittsburgh Writing Center and is free and open to the Pitt community.

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

International Writing Cafe: "Journaling Your Way to Writing Success," October 18 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Writing Center will host its next International Writing Cafe session, titled "Journaling Your Way to Writing Success," on October 18.
You might find that your instructor gives you a writing assignment, and you have no idea how to start. Or maybe you feel you don’t have enough practice writing, only opening up a document when your teacher asks you, but not quite finding confidence in your writing.

In this International Café, students will learn about effective informal journaling strategies that can be incorporated into anyone’s regular writing practice. Students will discuss models for journaling, and practice writing a journal entry that can help them move toward successful writing. **Students who participate in this Café will be offered written feedback from the facilitator, handed back at our Nov. 1 session.** Facilitated by Rachel McTernan.

Thursday, October 3, 2019

International Writing Cafe: "Go with the Flow," October 4 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Writing Center will host its next International Writing Cafe session, titled "Go with the Flow," on October 4.
Have you received feedback from your instructor telling you that your paragraph or essay needed more “flow”? “Flow” in writing usually refers to the smooth and clear movement from one idea to the next. But how can we achieve good flow when we sit down to write or revise? This Café session will provide students useful strategies in syntax and organization for making sure your writing flows from beginning to end. Students will practice identifying flow in writing, and will try their hand at writing a paragraph with different kinds of flow. Facilitated by Sam Pittman.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Low cost 13-week classes in Oakland, starting September 9.

The Church of the Ascension will host its regular 13-week classes starting September 9. Classes meet Mondays at 9:00 am or Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. There are five different levels and teachers are trained professionals.

There is a one-time book cost of $15 and a one-time $25 charge for child care. The focus is on grammar, conversation, pronunciation, idioms, and cultural discussions. Those interested should call 412-726-1782 or email pittsburghenglish4u@gmail.com.

The Church of the Ascension is located at 4729 Ellsworth Ave. (map).

Friday, June 14, 2019

"Pronouncing English Clearly: Learn Advanced English Skills While Reading Children’s Books," June 26 in Oakland.

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's main branch in Oakland will hold "Pronouncing English Clearly: Learn Advanced English Skills While Reading Children’s Books" on Wednesday, June 26.
Pam Volz will teach adults pronunciation and rhythm using popular children’s books. Challenge speaking skills with practice tips to transform these classic stories into a reading aloud adventure. After class, check out the book with your library card and practice on your own. This series will run on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. from May through August. This program is for adults only.
The book being used on June 26 is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Erik Carle.

Friday, January 11, 2019

Classes in Oakland's Church of the Ascension resume this month.

The Church of the Ascension in Oakland is again offering its ESL classes from Monday, January 13.

Classes meet Monday mornings from 9:00 to 10:30 am, or Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. The course is free, but there is a $15 fee for non-religious books.

The church is located at 4729 Ellsworth Ave. (map). Please visit its "Internationals" webpage for more information and to register.