NORTHEAST – The provincial government is providing funding for four communities in the Northeast to help new immigrants and refugees improve their English language skills by giving them access to free, one-on-one tutoring.

 The Chetwynd Public Library will receive $50,000 to start the English as a Second Language Settlement Assistance Program (ESLSAP) in that community. Co-ordinator Kelli Henderson said a Literacy Action Group, composed of members from the library, the Northern Lights College and other organizations, recognized there was a need amongst some new residents in Chetwynd for the service, and applied for and received the funding late last year.

 “The goal of the ESLSAP program is to provide language and integration support for immigrants and refugees in remote and rural areas where there normally aren’t ESL classes and where there isn’t support to help them stay there and be successful,” explained Henderson.

 She said the money has helped them establish a resource centre at the library with materials for both clients and tutors, which includes online resources. The library also facilitates a weekly “Conversation Club” on Wednesday evenings, which is open for anybody to drop-in and receive the support from other learners and from tutors.

 Henderson teaches a formal class at the college campus on Monday mornings. She said the students’ proficiency in the English language varies quite a bit, from those who have no background in it to others who just need help with pronunciation or grammar. She added the college has helped by not only providing space for the class and computers to do online assessments, but they also provided much of the materials found at the resource centre.

 Henderson said they currently are helping about a dozen students, and have nearly met their goal of matching each student with an individual tutor. She said the tutors are all volunteers, and no formal English language training or teaching background is required, though training is provided.

 Henderson has a 15-year background in ESL, but this is her first year teaching in Chetwynd, after moving there from Vancouver. She said she’s really enjoyed working with newcomers, whether they were students who were here temporarily for their education, or those looking to make Canada their permanent home.

 “It’s very rewarding to work with people who are motivated, who have goals and dreams for their futures,” she said.

 The Dawson Creek Literacy Society has been facilitating the ESLSAP program for three years now, and will receive $40,000 for the program this year. Co-ordinator Jennifer Neis said they also offer formal classes, and have two part-time instructors who teach two day classes and two evening classes a week. They also match newcomers with tutors, and organize informal get-togethers and trips to help students get to know their community.

 She said settlement services help newcomers with immigration and employment issues.

 “If they’re not sure how things work, we’re here to let them know how,” said Neis.

 She said they have about 48 people participating at different levels in the program.

 The Fort St. John Literacy Society will also receive $40,000 for the program. The city was one of the pilot communities when the program started four years ago. Executive director Jean McFadden said it’s in the best interests of the city and the country to ensure immigrants can succeed here as the demand for skilled labour is expected to grow.

 “We need immigrants in our country, and that’s sort of the long-range, central focus because of the aging baby-boomers, et cetera,” she said. 
 The Fort Nelson Community Literacy Society will also receive $40,000 to deliver the program.

 The society, however, could not be reached for comment.

 ***
 The Third Annual Spirit of Literacy Day will be taking place on Feb. 13 at the Northern Lights College campus in Dawson Creek. The event features a day of free workshops designed to improve knowledge in areas such as writing skills, wills and powers of attorney, financial literacy and much more. Accomplished slam poet/spoken-word artist Barbara Adler will give the welcoming address and will also offer a workshop on poetry. Free childcare is offered during the event. For more information or to register call Christabelle Kux-Kardos at (250) 219-0013 or email Sandrina Harwood at literacy.dc@gmail.com.