English as a Second Language

ESL (English as a Second Language) began at Second Baptist in September 1991. Since that time our program has been a cooperative mission effort with River Road Church, Baptist. Currently, the teaching staff includes members of a number of different Richmond area churches and faiths.

ESL
ESL Class at SBC

We concentrate on teaching conversational English so that the students may function better on the telephone, in the work place, and on a face to face basis with people they encounter.

In a given year, we have many nationalities represented. Some students are refugees, while other students are in the U.S. on work visas for a few months or years. Many of our students are here as exchange students with various area schools, including the Medical College of Virginia. We continue to see an increase in the number of au pares involved in our program. With each person there is an opportunity to minister to their needs and express that we care about them because of Christ’s love. Often lives are changed and enduring friendships are built.

The Slavic Evangelical Church comprised of Russian speaking Christians meet on Sunday mornings at Second in room 201 in our Education Building from 11:00am-12:00pm. We also have a Baptist Hispanic Church comprised of Hispanic and Brazilian Christians that meet in our Youth Room in the Family Life Center from 11:00-12:30pm. Our Brazilian/Portuguese Bible Study meets in room 8 in our Education Building from 9:45-10:45am. Many from these congregations attend ESL.

Classes are held each Monday from 7:00 – 9:00 pm and also Wednesday from 7:30 – 9:00 pm during the Henrico County Public Schools year. Every effort is made to limit classes to a maximum of eight students per classroom.

We offer child care on Monday nights to enable more people to participate. (not on Wednesday nights) The schedule on Monday nights also includes a break-time when all students meet together for refreshments and viewing of items in the church’s clothes closet.  Beginning, intermediate, and advanced classes are offered. In addition to English classes, we offer citizenship and TOEFL classes. Conversation partners who work one-on-one with students are available.

We welcome interested people as teachers, substitutes, conversation partners, child care providers (or substitutes), to provide refreshments, computer training, etc. The opportunities to help are unlimited. The only requirement to work in the program is a desire to be of service to those who voluntarily come to our program in order to better themselves. Training classes for teaching conversational English are not necessary but are offered two or three times a year by various organizations throughout the area and state.

You can enroll a student on any Monday.  There is a one time fee charge of $5.00.

These photos show how the ESL ministry also provides assistance through our clothes closet and our children’s ministry.

Children's Ministry
Children’s Ministry
Clothes Closet
Clothes Closet

If you would like to contribute in any aspect of ESL, contact Lee Bottoms or Pat Skammer. You may reach her through the church office or email info@secondbaptistrichmond.org.

 

 

 

 

Here are some important dates for 2011-2012:

  • September 12 – Registration/First Monday Night Class
  • September 14 – First Wednesday Night Class
  • November 21 – NO CLASS (Thanksgiving week)
  • November 23 – NO CLASS (Thanksgiving week)
  • December 12 – International Christmas Dinner in room 201 at 6:30 PM- All students and families are invited!
  • December 19, 21, 29 & 28 – NO CLASSES
  • January 2 – First Monday Night Class of 2012
  • January 4 – First Wednesday Night Class of 2012
  • April 9 – NO CLASS – Easter Vacation
  • April 11 – NO CLASS Easter Vacation
  • May 14 – Last Monday Class
  • May 16 – Last Wendnesday Class
  • May 21 – Awards Dinner in room 201 at 6:30 PM – All students and families are invited!

 

BAD WEATHER CLOSING POLICY: When bad weather closes Henrico Public Schools, there will be no ESL classes.