Staying on top of a new trend - Proliteracy takeaways

October 25, 2019

Like any good conference, the pre-conference sessions, presentations and special events offered topics of interest for the large number of participants who were attending from across the country.  Every title appealed to professionals in different levels of experience, administration, and goals for their learners.  


Flipping through the program book, the most discussed topic during this year’s conference focused on digital Literacy. This was of special interest to me and the adult learners in the ESOL and Adult Literacy Program for Catholic Charities as we have introduced the use of Chromebooks, phone apps, and distance learning concepts into our classrooms. The fact that digital literacy was so prevalent, solidified the notion that now, more than before, our learners need to be digitally competent.  The conference itself was heavily digitally infused. Every session room was equipped with computer access, speakers, microphones, and a projector.  All conference participants could download the conference app. The conference evaluations could be submitted on-line.  The “cloud” was not just a beautiful formation in the ski, but a tool that we needed to access. The fact that the ProLit conference was heavily digital, emphasizes the current trends of living in a digitally saturated era.  The present and future of adult learner education is clear: they must become digitally literate, and we can help them get there.  

There were several choices of presentations focusing on utilizing technology to work with learners.  For example, I attended a session on “Using Online Learning to Prepare Adults for the Workplace”. The presenters shared the importance of employees to have the skills to enter a changing workplace.  ProLit created an easy to use (and free) set of educational resources to help learners navigate topics regarding employment. The on-line resource covers four basic topics: setting career goals, tailoring a resume, acing the interview and communicating at work.  Each topic comes with easy to use navigation instructions, designed for learners with basic literacy skills, with colorful icons and both audio and written instructions.  Each learner may create an account ™and work towards completing the series.  There is also an instructor module to provide support to the learners.  The resource is available after creating a free account at www.proliteracyednet.org/workforce. 

Another session focused on helping Spanish-speaking learners to learn to read, write and become digitally literate.  The program “Leamos”™ is also a self-paced, lesson by lesson, comprehensive course for learners who never attended school or only attended up to the 2nd grade level.  This course requires a bit more administrative involvement and there are basic needs to run the program: access to WiFi, computers or laptops, headphones, and a workbook.  The administrator for “Leamos” must create an account to manage all learners’ progress. It’s a good resource to introduce learners to this new era of learning.  The information for the program is available at www.proliteracy.org/Leamos.

These are just two of the many examples of programs designed to incorporate digital literacy to the adult learners.  It is clear that our learners must become comfortable in a digital world.  From creating an account to visit a doctor’s office, to receiving information about children in school, to applying for a job, all of these require a level of comfort with the use and navigation of technology. The need is great, and we have a responsibility to assist our participants to get there. Easier said than done as each session also highlighted the barriers to utilizing technology.  We heard from different colleagues across the country about issues on the lack of internet connectivity, the fact that not all learners have access to computers, and the cost of internet access. And we also heard about solutions: utilization of library resources, reaching out to companies that provide support to low income families to get access to reduced cost or even free internet connection, or programs that assist individuals and families to get computers in their homes. Thinking and working with colleagues about the solutions to the problems reminded me of the importance of attending a professional conference: I got to connect with others who have similar goals and can share their experiences so I can learn something new and bring it back to my community. 

I look forward to implementing some of what I learned.  Especially around employment and language learning.  

Laura Irwin
ESOL Supervisor
Catholic Charities
 

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!

MCAEL Announces $1,465,853 in Grants to Support Adult ESOL Learning in Montgomery County

By Emma Starr • June 16, 2025
The Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy (MCAEL), announces $1,465,853 in grants awarded to support adult English language learning programs across Montgomery County. Funding for the grants is provided in partnership with the Montgomery County Government, with the support of County Executive Marc Elrich and the Montgomery County Council. Adult English language learners experience life-changing benefits as participants in these programs, from being able to navigate the health system and their children’s schools, to attaining better-paying jobs. The goal of the MCAEL grants program is to increase the availability of adult ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) services that support identified community needs and diverse populations, while also improving the quality of those services. Blanca, who was a teacher in Guatemala and is now a housekeeper, is currently enrolled in her third consecutive English language class. She says learning English has “made communication with doctors, teachers – everyone – easier. I have more confidence and am able to speak clearly with others.” Blanca hopes to eventually get a better-paying job so that “I can continue to raise my family in the U.S. while also supporting those still living in Guatemala. But my most important goal is to see my three children graduate from college.” This year, grants have been awarded to 24 organizations that provide 29 programs across Montgomery County, including eight brand new programs, both small and large in scale. In addition, MCAEL is actively pursuing the expansion of services to communities where adult ESOL learning opportunities are scarce and there are increased barriers to participation. MCAEL thanks the panel of community members who donated extensive time and energy to review and evaluate the grant applications. MCAEL also thanks the Montgomery County Government for increasing funding for program grants this year, as well as for their ongoing support of English language learning opportunities in Montgomery County. Read the complete Grants Announcement.