Free ESOL classes in LIC

YALDAZ SADAKOVA
Soon, adults will be able to sign up for free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes in Long Island City.
Unlike most ESOL classes, these are being offered by the Jacob Riis Neighborhood Settlement House - a local social services organization - and include conversation practice where each student is paired with a native speaker and spends time talking to them to develop their spoken English fluency.
Riis Settlement offers evening and morning classes to people aged 16 or older. Registration for evening classes is on September 9 and September 11, between 5 and 7 p.m. at Riis Settlement, located on 10-25 41st Avenue.
Those interested in morning classes should register at the same location on September 16 or September 18, between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Spots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and priority is given to returning students, said Alison Egic, director of Immigrant Services at Riis Settlement.
Morning classes are offered at beginner and intermediate levels, three days weekly - Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Riis Settlement.
Evening classes are offered at six levels, beginner through advanced, four days per week – Monday through Thursday – from 6:10 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. at I.S. 126, on 31-51 21st Street. Evening classes feature conversation sessions with native speakers.
“Our students consistently comment that this [conversation practice] is one of their favorite parts of the program,” Egic said, explaining that it allows learners to practice without worrying about making mistakes. Often students develop friendly relationships with their conversational partners, who are volunteers, Egic added.
Last year, 74 percent of Jacob Riis students who attended at least 100 hours of class time reported improvement in their English language skills, according to Egic. In addition, Egic said 96 percent of students also improved their knowledge of community resources after taking English classes.
The Immigrant Services program at the Jacob Riis, which provides the classes, serves more than 500 immigrant community members annually through education and community activities.