Programs

English In Action

English in Action helps newcomers to the United States gain fluency and confidence in conversational English by pairing them with volunteer tutors for weekly conversation sessions. In addition to practicing the language without the fear of making mistakes, English in Action students learn about life in this country and teach their conversation partners about their own languages, lands and customs.

Every year, more than 500 students from some 50 countries and volunteer tutors are paired in the one-to-one program in  New York City.  Additional English in Action programs are administered by the ESU Branches in Central Florida, Central Pennsylvania, Cleveland, Columbus, Lexington, Portland, Seattle.

English in Action News

The Gift of Language: English in Action Celebrates World Book Night 2013

Barbara Sutherland, English in Action unit director, presents a book to one of her students

Students from France, Spain, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Russia and Brazil celebrated World Book Night in New York City during their Tuesday, April 23rd session of English in Action. Their conversation partners presented them with copies of The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros.
They were urged to read the books and then pass them along to someone else. The House on Mango Street was selected because of its focus on the immigrant experience in the US.

To find out more about World Book Night, click here.

To find out more about English in Action, click here.

Photos courtesy of English in Action tutor Gary Klein

English in Action Expands to Include New Immigrant Center

We are proud to announce that the ESU has been given a tremendous opportunity to expand our English in Action program and provide more services to recent immigrants on the path to American citizenship. The Andrew Romay New Immigrant Center (ARNIC) is named for the program's instigator and major supporter. It will provide a diverse collection of educational, cultural and professional offerings tuition free to help immigrants in need improve their English, gain essential skills and cultural fluency, and develop networks they need to fully participate in American society and exercise the responsibilities of citizenship.

Since 1960, the English-Speaking Union's English in Action Program has continuously offered opportunities for cross-cultural exchange and friendship as tens of thousands of tutors and students have learned about each other's lives and customs.  Thanks to the generous service of our volunteers throughout the years, English in Action is recognized as an effective, professional ESL program in this city.

A highlight of the ARNIC program will be the opportunity for each of the participants to be a part of English in Action, to have access to the New York City volunteers who will help them navigate life in this new land.

Tanzilya Oren, who has been working in the New York immigration field for three years, has joined us as Manager of ARNIC. Karen Ruelle will continue to manage the English in Action program, in coordination with Tanzilya. 

English in Action Announces Winner of Marcella Frank Merit Scholarship

English in Action student Clara Lobato is the recipient of the 2013 Marcella Frank Merit Scholarship. This scholarship is named in memory of the unit director who brought English in Action to New York University and led the ESU EIA unit there for many years.  This is the second year of the scholarship, and recipients are selected for their seriousness of purpose and their dedication to the program.

Clara is from Mexico. She joined English in Action in 2011 and has been studiously improving her English ever since. The scholarship will enable her to extend her registration for an extra year.