English Language Classes
English Language Learning (ELL) & Vocational English Language Training (VELT)
English Skills for Work and Life
Literacy Education for Refugees
Programs designed to help refugees learn the English language and skills needed for a career in the U.S.
Learning a new language can be a daunting task to anyone, let alone a refugee. Refugees’ lives have been completely uprooted and disrupted, and many experience high degrees of culture shock when it comes to cultural adjustment and language. Additionally, many refugees served by Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas are not literate in their own native tongue.
The Refugee Learning Center provides language courses to help refugees communicate in their new country. English Language Learning (ELL) and Vocational English Language Training (VELT) courses are instructed by Catholic Charities employees and volunteers to help refugees learn basic English skills that will help them successfully adapt to life in the U.S.
English Language Learning (ELL)
English Language Learning (ELL) courses provide basic phonics, literacy, grammar and vocabulary lessons to refugees. The goal for these courses is that English would no longer be a barrier to
refugees obtaining and maintaining employment in the U.S.
ELL classes are offered onsite at our Wyandotte County Family Support Center, as well as a variety of other locations throughout the Kansas City area. There are also several class offerings on Zoom for those who do not have access to transportation. When available, refugees are offered tutoring or classes in their home or at an off-site location, such as a local library. Refugees are encouraged to participate in tutoring groups to increase their learning.
ELL classes are heavily run by volunteers. Volunteer roles include: lead teacher, one-on-one or small group tutoring, Blast Class
volunteer (a basic phonics and digital literacy curriculum) and driver. The average time commitment for an ELL volunteer ranges from three to four months, with two to four hours weekly dedicated time. Most volunteers end up working with our program for years.
Qualifications to Enroll in ELL
- Refugees must be 18 years or older
- Priority is given to refugees who have lived in the U.S. for one year or less
- Refugees cannot have lived in the U.S. for more than five years
- Interested referrals (with the exception of Cuban-Haitian entrants) must be enrolled in one of the following programs: Employment Services, Wilson Fish or Match Grant.
Vocational English Language Training (VELT)
Vocational English Language Training (VELT) classes prepare refugee students for specific career tracks by teaching practical language skills tailored to job-related situations.
VELT teaches refugee students job-related vocabulary and skills, such as interviewing and job safety. The VELT team works with Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas’ Employment Services to help place students in jobs that they are interested in.
Qualifications to Enroll in VELT
- Refugees must be 18 years or older
- Priority is given to refugees who have lived in the U.S. for one year or less
- Refugees cannot have lived in the U.S. for more than five years
- Refugees must be eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Contact Us
Use the form below to contact the Refugee Learning Center.
Please submit other questions to our general Contact Catholic Charities page.
Interested in volunteering with the Refugee Learning Center? Check out our Refugee Volunteer Opportunities!
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