English as a Second Language (ESL) Program
The Ave Maria Parish English as a Second Language
(ESL Program) is an education-related ministry under the overall
direction of the Pastor and Parochial Vicar.
Volunteer participation (e.g., instructors, organizers,
co-coordinators, etc.) in the ESL Program is open to all qualified,
registered members of the parish, who wish to participate in this
ministry’s activities. A
central coordinator for the ESL Program will be designated and appointed
by the Pastor.
Co-coordinators may be designated and appointed by the central program
coordinator, if/as needed.
Documents
Mission Statement
The ESL Program is a ministry of the Ave Maria
Catholic Church, dedicated to providing the Limited English Proficient
student with the opportunity to attain comfort in using the English
language and to fully participate in the communities in which they and
their families work and live. The
ESL mission is to produce students who are competent in the English
language, through the implementation of a challenging curriculum and
proven teaching strategies directed toward academic and social skills
acquired through day-to-day social interaction within an English
speaking environment. These
skills are to be the cornerstone for shaping students, who will become
life-long learners and contributing members of the local community and
Church.
Purpose
The parish’s ESL Program exists because of the need
for non-English speaking students in the local community to effectively
learn the English language. We
believe that all students have the potential to learn and therefore, the
mission of the parish’s ESL Program is to serve appropriate students
regardless of their financial ability or national origin.
They will be provided the
opportunity to develop intellectually and socially.
Through these opportunities,
students will be encouraged to become responsible members of a dynamic,
changing society.
Responsibilities
The activities of the ministry include to:
-
Provide the best possible classroom
instruction, learning environment, ancillary/support activities, and
resources to enrolled students to enable them to learn the English
language.
-
Coordinate the availability of childcare for
the children of adult students, if/as needed, in accordance with
diocesan and parish policies.
-
Establish and maintain a warm, welcoming,
friendly, and safe learning environment for all students and guests.
-
Ensure all volunteer participants in this
ministry, strive in accordance with the values and norms of the
Catholic faith, to be the face of Christ in all that they say and
do; inside and outside the classroom and learning environment(s).
-
Be knowledgeable of and comply with,
established Church, diocesan, Catholic Charities, and parish norms
and guidelines concerning ESL Program activities.
The ESL Program central coordinator will:
-
Compile an annual budget request (NLT May 31)
and forward to the Director of Hispanic Ministries, for inclusion in
the parish’s Hispanic Ministry projected budget.
-
Publish program applications and an annual
schedule of class dates.
-
Coordinate program-related purchases with the
Director of Hispanic Ministries.
-
Coordinate and integrate the ESL program
classroom needs and reservations with/through the parish office
staff.
-
Ensure an adequate number of instructor and
student handbooks are ordered and available, if/as needed.
-
Supervise all ESL instructors and class aides
in the implementation of the ESL Program at the parish level.
Changes to and/or additions to the ESL Program
ministry responsibilities and duties will be at the sole discretion of
the pastor (whether verbally or in writing) and/or parochial vicar.
Resolutions to problems will be resolved by the Pastor.