The ESL Conversation Cafe: - PowerPoint Presentation

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The ESL Conversation Cafe:a public library program for Henrico County’s immigrant community

Steven Carter-Lovejoy and Kate McCloryHenrico County Public Library

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PurposeHenrico County has many foreign

born, non-native English speakers moving into the countyMore than 11% of Henrico County residents are foreign-bornThe Henrico County Public Library (HCPL) wanted to reach this underserved population

Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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ConceptHCPL developed the ESL Conversation Café as

a unique learning opportunity with meaningful impact to supplement traditional ESL classes a program that can be sustained with reasonable resources (=cheap)Minimal library staff with no ESL training using volunteers

Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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DescriptionImplemented on a monthly basis at 2 HCPL branches, beginning in

2010Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Henrico County’s Tuckahoe Library

Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Henrico County’s Dumbarton Library

(R.I.P.)

Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Henrico County’s New

Libbie Mill Library

Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Description

We use

volunteers and staff to facilitate

conversations with non-native English speaking immigrants

Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Description

Intended for participants with high-beginning to intermediate speaking ability

Dumbarton uses

a registration

form –

an initial interview using simple questions to assess

a participant’s ability to converse

Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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ESL Conversation Cafe Intake Form

Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Description

Email reminders to participants and volunteers

Provide

light

refreshments

Provide

library tools to facilitate conversations including atlases

, dictionaries and ipads

Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Description

Promote

ESL learning tools such as language CDs and DVDs

Promote the county’s adult education and community ESL classes

Encourage participants to get library cards

Promote other library programs such as Book Discussions and Children’s Programs

Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Description

At Tuckahoe:

We establish separate

tables of

conversation each

with 1-2 American volunteers and 1-5

immigrantsConversations

are free-form, and allowed to spin as they will (with volunteer guidance)

We encourage

library tours

following meeting

Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation CafeDescriptionAt Dumbarton we provide a more structured experience

We generally start together in a circle

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Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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ESL Conversation Cafe Discussion Guide

Other topics include:SchoolThe Beach

Holidays

Pet Peeves

Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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ESL Conversation Cafe

Bingo Card

Topic: Halloween

Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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“Life’s a Beach!” Discussion

Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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PromotionTypical library channels – in-library signs, library website, 3x/year program guide

Flyers widely distributed to ESL programs in schools and churches Ethnic markets & community centersFlyer distribution assistance by volunteers and participants

Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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ESL Conversation Cafe

Typical Flyer (also provided in quarter-sheet format)

Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Results/success of programAttendance averages

2-6 participants (up to 21), 1-3 volunteersWho participatesBroad diversity, over 60 countries represented so farAsia and Latin American most common, Europe and Africa also well-representedMost are well-educated, but many exceptionsBoth genders well-representedBoth regulars and one-timers

 Many speak

only their native

language with family at

homeHenrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

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Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Results/success of programRecognition

Local mediaRichmond Times Dispatch articleHenrico TV documentary2014 Awards from National Association of Counties & Virginia Association of Counties

Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Recognition

Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Results/success of programHeartwarming immigrant stories

Personal successesHelping others/building communityParticipation in other library programsRewarding for staff and volunteers

Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe

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Henrico County Public Library’s

ESL Conversation Cafe