English for Speakers of Other Languages

To help meet the needs of the growing population of English Language Learners (ELLs) in Teton County, the Teton Literacy Program offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for adult students four nights a week. Classes are held in twelve-week sessions throughout the year. All students are assessed prior to enrollment using a computerized Basic English Skills Test. Instructors teach a core curriculum developed by TLP staff from a variety of nationally recognized sources. Being a learner-centered program, even group classes at the TLP provide differentiate instruction to meet each learner's individual needs.

"We all learned to understand and speak our first language by hearing and using it in natural situations, with people who cared for and about us," writes Elizabeth Claire, author of the ESL Teacher's Activities Kit. "This is the most effective and interesting way to learn a second language as well." Instructors at the Teton Literacy Program implement activities in the classroom that foster natural acquisition, rather than emphasizing formal vocabulary and structure explanations and drills.

The TLP staff works with ESL instructors to compile a curriculum relevant to each student's needs, and each instructor creates lesson plans with activities that keep students engaged in the learning process. Classes focus on enriching students' English vocabulary as well as providing language skills relevant to daily life. Classroom activities include field trips around town, discussing articles in the local newspaper, and translating traditional recipes to create a bilingual cookbook.

For more information about ESL classes, call (307) 733-9242. If you are a student interested in enrolling in ESL classes, please fill out the Student Sign-Up form. To volunteer, please fill out the Volunteer Information form. Both forms are PDFs and require the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

TLP Students receive certificates of attendance for their ESL classes, 2005.

Volunteer Form	PDF	Word Document
Student Form	PDF	Word Document
Tutor Log	PDF	Word Document

*PDFs require the Acrobat Reader.