Are you learning how to speak, read and write English?  Would you like to improve you English language skills and meet people from around the world?  Come to the Biblioteca Latinoamericana to attend one or more of our free ESL classes for adults.     

Cris, the ESL Teacher and Family Learning Center Coordinator posed for this photograph during one of the classes.  In this picture, from left to right, you can see Paulina from Columbia, Elena from Russia, John  from Vietnam, Bertha from Mexico, Cris, the ESL Teacher from the Philippines, Martha from Mexico, Brenda from Mexico, Alejandrina from Honduras, and  Ulisses from Mexico.

Please visit the following calendars have information about ESL Classes throughout San Jose:

• ESL events at Biblioteca Latinoamericana
• ESL events at East San Jose Carnegie Branch Library
• ESL events throughout the San Jose Public Library system
• English Pronunciation Classes at Biblioteca Latinoamericana and East San Jose Carnegie Branch Library

Students are encouraged to bring a pencil or pen and a three-ring binder.

There are several Family Learning Centers throughout San Jose that offer ESL classes.    They are located at the following branches:

• Bascom Branch
• Biblioteca Latinoamericana Branch
• Dr. Roberto Cruz - Alum Rock Branch
• East San José Carnegie Branch
• Hillview Branch
• Seven Trees Branch
• Tully Community Branch

The ESL Conversation Club at the East San Jose Carnegie Branch Library meets on Thursdays at 4:00 pm during the months of June and July, except for July 4.  Practice your English in a friendly informal group that meets once a week for an hour.  Meet new friends.  It's fun!

La Club de Conversación en inglés se reúne cada jueves a 4:00 pm en la  Biblioteca East San Jose Carnegie durante junio y julio.  No se reúne el 4 de julio.  Practiquen el inglés en un grupo amistoso e informal que se reúne una hora cada semana.  Conozcan a nuevos amigos.  La Club de Conversación es divertida. 

For additional ESL conversation clubs, please visit our calendar.

Para mas clubs de conversación en inglés, favor de visitar este calendario.

Expand Your Reading Skills: Free ESL Class for Adults at Advanced Levels

Wednesdays 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

at the East San Jose Carnegie Branch Library

In selected readings, students will:

• Find the topic/theme
• Preview and predict
• Read for meaning
• Skim and scan
• Evaluate information (fact or fiction)
• Make inferences

It is recommended that students meet with the ESL teacher prior to attending the class.  Handouts will be provided.   It is suggested that students bring a binder, notebook and pencil/pen when attending the class.

If you have any questions, please contact Cris at 1-408-808-3075.

Oral English: Free ESL Class for Adults at Intermediate-Advanced Levels

Fridays 10:00 am - 12:00 noon
at the East San Jose Carnegie Branch Library

This class will help intermediate to advanced level students in their spoken English through interactive activities.  Students will improve their English fluency and strengthen their vocabulary.

Class activities include:

• Role playing activities
• Dialogues
• Partner-pair work
• Group oral exercises

It is suggested that students bring a binder, notebook and pencil/pen when attending the class.

If you have any questions, please contact Cris at 1-408-808-3075.

Volunteer Erik Petersen is the ESL Conversation Club Facilitator at Biblioteca Latinoamericana.  Every Wednesday at 6:00 PM, he leads the ESL Conversation Club.   In this blog posting, Erik answers questions about himself and his interests.
 

Tell us about yourself.

I am a San Jose native who's lived in the South Bay my entire life. What I've always appreciated about growing up in the Bay Area is its sheer diversity. From a young age, I'd been exposed to various Latin American and Asian cultures that exist in San Jose, including their languages like Spanish and Tagalog. This is partly what spurred my initial interest in language. I decided to take Latin classes in high school, and knew by the end of my senior year I wanted to study language science in college. As of last spring, I finished up a linguistics and German language double major at SJSU. Having studied these two complementary degrees, I feel that I can contribute what I learned about language itself to the club. Topics we discuss range from current local or national events to language and cultural comparison.  An analytical approach to language and a natural curiosity have allowed me to learn just as much from attendees as I hope they learn from the club itself.

Why are you interested in volunteering?

I wanted to get involved with volunteering since I'd never done any before. I have a goal of eventually teaching English abroad. I figured this position is great way to test the waters. I have a friend with similar goals who leads an ESL conversation club at the Berryessa branch, and he recommended it to me. Helping others improve their skill in English has been rewarding, especially having been on the other side of the aisle, so to speak. I spent a year studying in Germany, and I really appreciated those who would patiently spend the time to converse with me. That sort of exchange improved my German in ways that were impossible in the classroom. Likewise, conversation club is distinct from the ESL classes at the library in that it's more informal and less about grammar or pronunciation. Seeing as I'm a facilitator, I don't consider myself a teacher in the sense of being the 'head' of the club. Rather my role is to help create an environment where attendees feel comfortable to add to discussion or introduce topics of their own. Of course I answer questions and moderate discussions, but if a positive conversation is happening I keep my interruptions to a minimum. The club is for attendees to speak up, not me!

What do you like about Biblioteca Latinoamericana?

One thing I have noticed is the amount of activities available at this location. It seems every week I come in there is something to see: children's story time, ESL classes, and even creative cultural displays. I also appreciate the very existence of a multicultural library providing bilingual services. In my experience, the employees who provide those services have all been very helpful, and I've seen a clear mutual appreciation among all the volunteers. Overall, I view Biblioteca Latinoamericana as a unique offering among public libraries in the South Bay.

Alberto Cardona is a classically trained guitarist from Colombia.  He has studied classical guitar for twenty years.  He loves playing and listening to a variety of classical guitar music.  Alberto also takes ESL classes from Cris at both Biblioteca Latinoamerica and East San Jose Carnegie Branch.  One Tuesday in April, Alberto played some beautiful music for his classmates at one of Biblioteca Latinoamericana's ESL classes.  Check out this awesome YouTube video where Alberto plays music for his classmates! 

Are you interested in learning to play the guitar?   San Jose Public Library has many books, music scores, and dvds that can help you learn.      

Are you interested in learning and practicing English?  Please visit the following calendars:

ESL events at Biblioteca Latinoamericana

ESL events at East San Jose Carnegie Branch Library

ESL events throughout the San Jose Public Library system

English Pronunciation Classes at Biblioteca Latinoamericana and East San Jose Carnegie Branch Library

Students are encouraged to bring a pencil and a three-ring binder.

There are several Family Learning Centers throughout San Jose that offer ESL classes.    They are located at the following branches:

• Bascom Branch
• Biblioteca Latinoamericana Branch
• Dr. Roberto Cruz - Alum Rock Branch
• East San José Carnegie Branch
• Hillview Branch
• Seven Trees Branch
• Tully Community Branch