Zoning In The Newsletter for the Asbury Shalom Zone,

520 7th St., Buffalo, NY 14201

A ministry of the United Methodist Church

http://aszonline.org

An information tool to inform & inspire Phone: (716) 886-8282

Issue No. 29, April 2013

ESL Class at Asbury Shalom Zone Are you new to this country? Do you need help understanding people around you? Are you looking for a job or want to become a citizen of the United States? We have a place just for you. Come and join

us at the Asbury Shalom Zone. {These are the words of Marina Yelinson, the ESL teacher from the Buffalo Public Schools, now teaching ESL at the ASZ.} Last summer Asbury Shalom Zone, in collaboration with the Adult Division of Buffalo Public Schools, opened an English as a Second Language (ESL) class . Two times a week, students from different countries learn English in an informal and friendly atmosphere. They work on their speaking and listening skills, and learn to read and understand various types of texts, from housing applications to newspaper articles. They write notes and letters, and practice using correct grammatical forms in different situations. However, our class does more than just teach language skills. Our students also learn about their community and its resources. They learn how to talk on the phone, how to make an appointment, how to fill out various forms and applications, and how to ask for and give directions. They can also get help in applying for a job and writing a resume. Another important part of our class is providing knowledge about life in the United States, its government, and its history. The students learn about American holidays and celebrate them together. One of our students recently passed his citizenship test and became a new citizen of the United States. It had taken him several attempts, but he finally answered all the questions after getting help in preparing for the exam in our class. Our ESL class is a fun place to be. Our students are very friendly and everyone feels like a family. No matter where you are from and what language you speak, you will always feel welcome in our class. Come join us every Monday and Wednesday from 3:30 to 6:30. You won’t regret it!

Clases de Inglés como segundo idioma en Asbury Shalom Zone ¿Eres nuevo en este país? ¿Necesitas ayuda para entender las personas a tu alrededor? ¿Estás buscando trabajo o deseas hacerte ciudadano de los Estados Unidos? Tenemos el sitio para ti. Ven y únete a nosotros en Asbury Shalom Zone. El verano pasado Asbury Shalom Zone en colaboración con la División de Estudios Adultos de las escuelas públicas de Búfalo abrió una clase de inglés como segundo idioma. Dos veces a la semana, estudiantes de diferentes países aprenden (Continua atras)

Your support helps us bring blessings to those for whom spring and summer only mean more bills, more loneliness, more problems and less money. Aren’t you glad we’re here for them? I can tell you, we’re glad you’re here for us! And thanks!

Paul E. Robinson, Editor

716-773-3550 [email protected]

Wufeng Luo (Frank) & Xiao Jun Wu (Jane) arrived from Wuhan, China, seven & three months ago, respectively. They are able to read English but say they need a lot of work on their oral understanding and speaking. They have relatives in Toronto and have met some Chinese friends at the ASZ, so are glad to be in the class.

Francisca Gonzalez: “Yes,

I like being here because the teacher shows interest in us and I can understand her.” Francisca moved to the Bronx from Puerto Rico in 1980. There she lived with relatives and spoke Spanish at home and at work. Whenever her family needed to interact with English speakers, they always had an interpreter. When her husband died three years ago she couldn't afford the rent so she moved to Buffalo, but found it difficult to find work because she needs to speak English here. Francisca has been in the class for three months.

Pembele Garcia came to the US only a couple months ago. The long journey from his homeland, Angola, to Buffalo took him to NYC, San Francisco and finally to Buffalo where his two brothers live. His parents still live in Angola. His native tongue is Portuguese and he has been attending the class for 3 weeks. "I really like the teacher," he reports.

NEWS FLASH We have good news and bad news.

First the good news: There are tons and tons of used clothing out there to be recycled into the hands of those who need it around the world. Now the bad news: Much of it is not baled and stacked in the ASZ warehouse because it’s hanging in your closets and bagged in a church store room. We only need a few more bales to have a full semi load, providing money for the Zone and clothing for needy folks around the world. Call for a pick up: 886-8282.

Also:

We have storage space available at only $50/month in a clean, dry and locked environment. We also have space for the storage of boats, RVs or cars. Really! Call 886-8282, and talk to Luis Reyes about availability.

Now ain’ta that Good News??

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Niagara Frontier City Ministries 520 7th St. Buffalo, NY, 14201

Non-Profit Org U.S. POSTAGE PAID BUFFALO, NY Permit No. 04652

Or current resident

(Continua del frente ) inglés en una atmosfera informal y amistosa. Ellos trabajan para mejorar sus destrezas de hablar y auditivas, aprenden a leer y entender varios diferentes tipos de textos tales como solicitud para viviendas, leer artículos del periódico, escribir notas y cartas, practicar usando gramática correctamente. Además, nuestra clase es más que aprender destrezas de aprendizaje. Nuestros estudiantes aprenden de su comunidad y sus recursos. Ellos aprenden como hablar por teléfono y hacer citas, como llenar varios formularios y aplicaciones, como pedir y dar direcciones. Ellos también pueden recibir ayuda para aplicar para un trabajo y escribir un resume. Otro punto importante de nuestra clase es proveerle conocimiento de la vida en los Estados Unidos, su gobierno, y su historia. Los estudiantes aprenden los días feriados de los Estados Unidos y lo celebran juntos. Uno de nuestros estudiantes recientemente pasó el examen de ciudadanía y se hizo ciudadano de los Estados Unidos. Le había tomado varios atentos, pero finalmente pudo contestar todas las preguntas después de recibir ayuda en la clase. Nuestra clase es muy divertida. Nuestros estudiantes son amistosos y todos nos sentimos entre familia. No importa de donde usted es o que lenguaje habla usted se sentirá bienvenido en nuestra clase. Venga y únase a nosotros todos los lunes y miércoles de 3:30 pm a 6:30 pm. No te arrepentirás. Para información llame a Asbury Shalom Zone – 520 Seventh Street – (716)886-8282

Unless you have visited a class of ESL students it is hard to imagine the focus, desire, intensity and drive that fills the room. This is not just fun, this is not just “required reading,” this is a life-line for their future. Thank you Ben and Juanita Matta for being the ASZ hosts every Monday and Wednesday. There for us all!