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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

International Café: "Proof Positive: Quick Proofreading and Editing Strategies" at Pitt, January 26.

The University of Pittsburgh's Writing Center will host its next International Cafe workshop, "Proof Positive: Quick Proofreading and Editing Strategies," on January 26.

How can you become a better editor of your own work while you’re writing? What strategies can you use to proofread your own writing once you’ve already produced a draft? At this International Café, we’ll learn and apply specific strategies for editing and proofreading, and learn the difference between the two. We’ll also address some of the most common language troubles International Students face in their writing.

You are encouraged to come with a paragraph of your own in-progress writing to work on your independent editing and proofreading skills.

The workshop runs from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the Writing Center, located at 317B O'Hara Student Center (map). It is free and open to Pitt students.

Free ESL conversation group at Bellefield Church in Oakland, Monday evenings from January 8.

Pittsburgh Regional International Student Ministries (P.R.I.S.M.) offers free English conversation groups Monday evenings at Bellefield Church in Oakland, and will resume courses in 2018 on January 8.

Our English Conversation Group is a place to come practice your spoken English without the stress of grades! You will spend time talking about idioms, conversing one-on-one, sharing in a small group about a topic, and building friendships along the way. This will help you become more comfortable speaking on a large variety of topics concerning life, ideas, and culture. It is free of charge.

Monday nights: 7 - 8:30 pm in the downstairs Fellowship Hall of Bellefield Church (4001 5th Ave) in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

Bellefield Presbyterian Church is located across the street from the University of Pittsburgh bookstore (map) and is accessible by many city buses, including: 28X, 54, 58, 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D, 67, 69, 71A, 71B, 71C, 71D, 75, 81, 83, 93, and P3.

International Café: “Write Up, Speak Up: Practicing Your Presentation Skills” at Pitt, December 1.

The University of Pittsburgh's Writing Center will hold its next International Cafe workshop, "International Café: “Write Up, Speak Up: Practicing Your Presentation Skills," on December 1. The workshop runs from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the Writing Center, located at 317B O'Hara Student Center (map). It is free and open to Pitt students.

"Using Quotations to Generate Ideas" at University of Pittsburgh Writing Center's International Cafe, November 17.

The University of Pittsburgh's Writing Center will host its next International Cafe session on November 17, on the topic if "Using Quotations to Generate Ideas." International Cafe workshops are designed to "tackle some of the difficulties of writing and using English as a non-native speaker."

Supporting our ideas; providing evidence; stating an opponent's position---these are all some uses of quotations in our writing. But did you know that you can use quotations to generate new ideas for your essays? No matter what stage of the writing process you're in, come to this active workshop to learn and practice techniques for productively interacting with quotations. You're encouraged to bring a text you are currently writing about to use during the workshop.

The series runs from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the Writing Center, located at 317B O'Hara Student Center (map). It is free and open to Pitt students.

"Let’s READ English: An ESL Book Discussion Group" at Carnegie Library in Oakland, November 10.

The next "Let's READ English" book discussion group takes place tomorrow, November 10, at the Carnegie Library main branch in Oakland.

If English is not your native language and you like to read, join us on the second Friday of every month at 2PM in the Graphic Novels Room. We will read one book each month and then meet to discuss the story, improve our vocabulary and practice our English reading and conversational skills. And have FUN!

November’s book selection is Listening is an Act of Love, a collection of conversations between friends and family members about life and relationships.

Please request the book in the Catalog or contact us to get the book from your Library.

The event starts at 2:00 in the Graphic Novels Room on the 1st floor. The library is located at 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakland (map).

Free English Language and Civics Classes at Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania offers free English Language and Civics classes to internationals living in Pittsburgh.

What are EL Civics Classes?

Improve your English skills while learning about U.S. Civics.

Goodwill’s EL Civics program integrates civics education with English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction. Students acquire the skills and knowledge they need to become active and informed parents, workers, and community members.

How do the EL Civics Classes work?

Flexible class schedule

The classes will introduce you to civics-related content and provide you with opportunities to apply that knowledge in your daily life, while building your English language and literacy skills. Morning, afternoon, and evening classes are available in Lawrenceville or South Side.

Students set goals to do things such as:

Achieve U.S. citizenship skills

U.S. history and/or geography U.S. governmental structure and function Naturalization process Rights and responsibilities of citizenship U.S. workplace culture and basics of employment laws U.S. legal system
Register to vote or vote for the first time

Increase involvement in the community

Attend or organize neighborhood, community, or political meetings Volunteer to work for such organizations Contribute to the support of such organizations Volunteer to work on community improvement activities

Who is eligible for EL Civics Classes?

Students must need English language services (cannot be an English native speaker). Students must either be a U.S. citizen or be eligible for citizenship (i.e. have a green card/social security number). Students must complete an orientation prior to the start of class.

Who to contact:

Phone: 412-632-1820
Email: english@goodwillswpa.org

Please visit the Goodwill website for more information.

"Pronouncing English Clearly" at Carnegie Libraries in Oakland and Squirrel Hill, starting October 18.

"Pronouncing English Clearly" will be held at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branches in Oakland and Squirrel Hill starting October 18.

Do you want to strengthen your English pronunciation and be a more confident speaker?
Speech coach Pam Volz provides techniques for speaking fluently through interactive practice and take-home materials.
You'll learn about pronouncing consonants and vowels, word stress, and American English melody.
This program is for advanced English speakers.

There are eight sessions scheduled: Wednesdays from October 18 through November 8 at the CLP-Main Branch in Oakland from 6:15 to 8:00 pm; and Saturdays in Squirrel Hill from November 11 through December 2. No registration is required.

University of Pittsburgh Writing Center International Cafe: "The More You Know: Building Vocabulary to Strengthen Your Writing," October 13.

This event is open to University of Pittsburgh students. The University of Pittsburgh Writing Center offers an "International Cafe" series throughout the year with workshops for the needs of international students. The third of 2017-18 is "The More You Know: Building Vocabulary to Strengthen Your Writing".

Do you struggle to know which vocabulary words to use when writing your assignments successfully and fluently? During this session of the Writer's Cafe, we will read several short pieces of published writing, and generate useful lists of vocabulary words and phrases that relate directly to the actions and relationships within each piece. This vocabulary will help us to begin writing about these readings in more authentic and successful ways. You’ll leave with vocabulary-building strategies that you can take to your other writing assignments. Facilitated by Laura Waxman.

The free event starts at 3:30 pm in the Writing Center in the O'Hara Student Center at 4024 O'Hara Street in Oakland (map).

TOEFL Preparation Course at University of Pittsburgh starts October 4.

The University of Pittsburgh's English Language Institute's Fall 2017 TOEFL Preparation Course will begin on October 4. The classes are held each Wednesday for six weeks. Module 1 covers Reading and Writing, and runs from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Module 2 covers Listening and Speaking, and runs from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The cost is $200 per module for non-ELI students ($165 per module for ELI students). Classes are held at the ELI, at 200 Meyran Ave. in Oakland (map). More information is available at the ELI's webpage.

International Women's Association of Pittsburgh (IWAP) English classes, starting September 18.

The International Women's Association of Pittsburgh (IWAP) offers free ESL classes to its members. The first class is September 18, and classes meet each Monday at the First United Methodist Church in Shadyside (map). Please visit the IWAP website for much more information about the classes. IWAP also offers many other programs for its members, including cooking classes, trips, social meetings, and volunteer opportunities. Membership is $25.

International Café: "Goals and Expectations: Understanding Your Writing Assignments" at Pitt, September 15.

This event is open to University of Pittsburgh students. The University of Pittsburgh Writing Center offers an "International Cafe" series throughout the year with workshops for the needs of international students. The first of 2017-18 is "Goals and Expectations: Understanding Your Writing Assignments".

When you receive a writing assignment from your instructor, you may find yourself unsure of what your instructor is looking for, or even frightened by how much is expected of you. What kind of paper does your instructor want? Are you being asked to summarize, interpret, discuss, make connections, argue—or all of these? What if your instructor uses long lists of questions to prompt your writing—which do you answer, and how? If you have been given a writing assignment that you don’t yet understand, bring it with you to discuss as we learn techniques for interpreting your writing assignments. Facilitated by Sam Pittman

The free event starts at 3:30 pm in the Writing Center in the O'Hara Student Center at 4024 O'Hara Street in Oakland (map).