E.L.S.A. Class Visits with the Mayor

May 2006 – The Multicultural and Immigrant Integration Services Department at Abbotsford Community Services offers morning and evening English classes to new immigrants in the Abbotsford and Mission area. As part of the English Language Services for Adults (ELSA), students have many opportunities to explore their new home.

This level one class toured Abbotsford City Hall.  English speaking skills at this level are minimal. Most students can respond to basic questions about personal information, some can communicate basic needs in informal conversations, and others may be able to ask and respond to simple ‘familiar’ questions.

In addition to providing English language training, ELSA helps immigrants settle and adapt in their new community. Showing them places around town - like the library, the police station, City Hall, the Public Health Unit - helps them become familiar with Abbotsford, and the services and resources available to them.  When this class arrived at City Hall, reception told them the mayor was not available. However, when Mayor Ferguson heard that an ELSA class was there, he immediately invited them in.

It was more than a positive learning experience.  These adult students felt very welcomed into their new community and it increased their sense of ‘connected-ness’.

Abbotsford Community Services offers three morning ELSA classes and four evening classes.  Free child minding is available in the mornings.  Three hundred and eighty two (382) students accessed ESLA classes this past year. More than a dozen different language groups are represented from Punjabi, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Farsi, Arabic, Spanish, German and others.

For more information on English Language Services for Adults, call Carla at 604.859.7681 Local 216.