Instructor Spotlight: Sitara Maruf|Islamic Center of Maryland

March 1, 2021

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what has inspired you to be a teacher?

Originally from India, I have been living in the United States for 30 years. I have a master’s in science and a master’s in journalism. I have been a college instructor and a journalist, and I’m an author of an English grammar book. Apart from teaching ESOL part-time, I am a science writer.


Credit for my interest in ESOL teaching goes to my relatives. Back home, many relatives were taking ESOL classes, and on my visit in 2010, they expressed some of their doubts.  I ended up teaching them English grammar every day, and, when it was time for me to leave, they asked when I would return to teach them again! They were overjoyed when I told them I could continue teaching from US too. We installed computers and Internet for them in specific homes, and nearby relatives would gather for the class. I taught them via Skype and Go to Meeting. So, they and other college students inspired and encouraged me to continue teaching.


What are the biggest challenges you face as an ESOL teacher?

Each ESOL learner has a different learning experience, background, and cultural heritage. Some have experience in academic and work environment, and others have never stepped in one! The challenge is to ensure that my instructions and explanations resonate with all. Since adults are conscious learners, it’s important to pick cues and give lot of encouragement.


What has teaching remotely during a global pandemic taught you?

I have been teaching remotely since 2010; however, teaching during the pandemic has brought in many online resources, that were lacking previously, or perhaps I was not aware of. During the pandemic, I started teaching ESOL at the Islamic Center of Maryland and gained valuable insights and input from them. Now that human interactions are fewer in the pandemic, I appreciate the interactions and gratification that come from teaching even more! It has given me and my students a wonderful sense of community besides a tremendous learning experience in a supportive environment.


What advice would you give to a new ESOL teacher or volunteer?

To teach well, teachers must have the passion to teach and also be passionate about the subject they are teaching. Teachers’ knowledge and interest in the subject as well as their energy, enthusiasm, and passion in teaching shows through and inspires and motivates students. Besides getting extensive knowledge of the subject, prepare well for classes, expect the unexpected questions and issues, and enforce discipline and consistency.


What have been your favorite pastimes during COVID-19?

I like reading, writing, and watching documentaries. During COVID-19, we discovered many hiking trails, parks, farms, botanical gardens, and country clubs nearby. As a family, we enjoy nature walks.


What do you find most rewarding about your work?

Every class is a treat for me when I see the students’ happy faces, their enthusiasm, gratitude, and how they look up to me. In the short-term, seeing increments in their knowledge and confidence makes me very happy. Over the years, I have felt my effort has been worth it, when they share news about better job and education opportunities or independently completing tasks that require higher-order skills.  One mutual benefit in teaching English to adults is that we can have productive, interesting, and fun conversations on many topics, which broadens our horizons.


What is something you learned about your students during this remote teaching period?

Each student is accomplished in a way and contributes positively to local communities.  They also help one another and have their Zoom sessions to practice English or discuss homework.  The English classes have given them another avenue to expand their social and learning network. Despite their work and family obligations and the difficulties that the pandemic has added, they are a happy, chirpy, thankful, and dedicated bunch who finds great pleasure in learning and in the small things of daily life.

End-of-Year Celebration Recap

By Kairy Castro Barrios • June 18, 2025
Last Friday, June 13th, 2025, MCAEL hosted its End-of-Year Celebration & Sharing Session, attended by adult English Instructors and program staff representing 24 programs from the MCAEL network. This End-of-Year Celebration was designed to bring ESOL professionals together to celebrate their dedication and commitment to helping a community of non-native English speakers learn English as a second language, thereby supporting them in their daily lives. Their passion for teaching English as a second language contributed to everyone's eagerness to share the ways their lessons work, teaching methods that engage learners, and identifying the specific instruction skills they'd like to develop. One English instructor mentioned that, towards the end of class, she plays "Hangman" with the learners to help with spelling words; so far, no one has been hanged! ๏ปฟ All English instructors and program staff share a common goal: to make a difference in their communities and make a direct impact on those around them. During this celebration, they were asked, “what inspired you to work in the ESOL field?" Instructors mentioned that enabling a community to learn English empowers them to grow and better integrate themselves within society. Brenda Voit, an ESOL instructor at the nonprofit Identity, mentioned that she is an English instructor who fulfills community needs and is passionate about the work she does. Christine Patton; an ESOL teacher at JSSA, spoke about her family’s personal experience emigrating from Germany to the United States and the shared frustrations of not knowing English, as well as navigating that experience in their daily lives. Christine views Montgomery County’s ability to provide free and accessible English classes as a reassuring sign of support. This invaluable resource can make a difference in the lives of many, creating a vibrant, growing coalition of Adult English learners. Kairy Castro Barrios MCAEL Intern

Not “Just” English Classes

By Gerard Etienne • June 17, 2025
This past Saturday, I was invited to speak at the Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA)’s Learning English Together graduation ceremony – and what a wonderful event it was! The first thing that surprised me was the number of people in attendance: there were over 320 attendees, of which 146 were proud graduates. Even more impressive is the fact that there were another 150 graduates who did not attend the ceremony! But what stood out even more was how important this ceremony clearly was to so many of the learners. As a guest speaker, I joined the entrance procession and lined up with the graduates. The pride and excitement were palpable, not just among the learners, but among the instructors as well. Almost everyone was dressed up for the occasion. This was the first clue that these weren’t “just” English classes to the graduates—this was a meaningful milestone, a real achievement. As the ceremony progressed and certificates were awarded, several learners gave speeches. I found myself nearly in tears as I listened to them describe what learning English had meant in their lives. It would be easy to reduce ESOL classes to simply language instruction for immigrants—but these classes are so much more than that. ๏ปฟ They are a gateway to connection, self-expression, better jobs, and more education. They foster belonging, friendships, relationships, and a kind of freedom that only language can provide. For many learners, these classes are truly life-changing, as many of the student speakers described. And the fact that these classes were so meaningful to them is a testament to the care and quality of instruction that JSSA and its instructors have provided. As each speaker shared their story, I thought back to my own English-learning journey. I could relate strongly to their experiences: the feeling of isolation, the frustration of not being able to say the simplest things, the fear of picking up the phone, the avoidance and anxiety around engaging with others. And the feeling of sometimes being reduced to “someone who doesn’t speak English” – as if that’s all there was to me. Learning English is a way out of those limitations. It gives learners the chance to grow, to build relationships, and to show who they really are. Congratulations to the graduates!
A picture of Gerard Etienne, MCAEL's new Executive Director. He wears a navy-blue suit.

A Letter from MCAEL's New Executive Director

By Emma Starr • May 21, 2025
Dear MCAEL Community, It is such an honor to be joining you as MCAEL’s new Executive Director. With my many years of mission-driven work rooted in Montgomery County – and as an English language learner myself – I could not be more thrilled to join this amazing staff and network of programs. I’ve known MCAEL for years through my work in the county, both at Interfaith Works and most recently as Chief Program & Innovation Officer at the Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA). But after just two weeks on the job at MCAEL, I’ve gained an even deeper understanding of the breadth of work that we do – and the impact that we have on the lives of so many. Not speaking English affects your life in almost every way, from asking for directions or help in a store to securing employment and an education. I speak from experience. I was a young teenager when my family moved to the United States. Not knowing how to speak the language, I had to navigate not only a new country, but eighth grade in an American middle school (arguably challenging even for native speakers). At a time when some of our learners are afraid to come to class, we need to stand tall and continue to do what we have always done – offer pathways to a better quality of life through English learning, and to support our strong network of programs in doing so. I am excited to take on this work and I look forward to meeting all of you through planned visits to programs, as well as at meetings and community events. I welcome your phone calls, emails, and visits! Please reach out at any time – I would love it. Warmly, Gerard