ESL Classes
Our classes serve as a space to empower and assist refugees in becoming more self-sufficient.
We work with refugees who come from many diverse backgrounds, experiences, languages and cultures. All of the refugees have different education experiences and our classes are designed to work with all student levels.
We use a problem-based approach to curricula and lesson plan design, meaning that we find out what the students want to learn, the current needs in the refugee community and design lessons based on their needs.
Our classes are based on the following objectives:
Because of the time necessary in locating students, forming relationships and starting a class, we ask that all lead teachers be willing to commit to at least six months or more of English teaching. Assistant teachers are welcome to volunteer for shorter periods. If you are interested in volunteering as an English teacher with refugees, please Contact Us.
Action-Based Learning
Refugees and volunteers interact within our Harvesting Program and Food Preservation workshops to facilitate a hands-on ESL experience. Through this approach, we take learning out of the classroom and use an Iskashitaa food and conversation skill-based ESL curriculum for a program that will help refugees acquire English and increase self-sufficiency.
University of Arizona students are also teaching refugees. The Honors Civic Engagement Team (HCET), a partnership of the U of A Honors College and Iskashitaa, also teaches English to refugees in the Tucson community!