Accelerated ESL Program
This Program provides intensive online instruction in English as a second language to adult refugee students based in the United States. The program's coursework and materials are all offered completely free of charge to refugees and is funded by the Global Impact Initiative (Gii) through scholarships, partnerships, grants and individual donations.
This accelerated program is specifically tailored to meet the needs of refugees from Ukraine and is committed to equipping them with the language skills needed for both everyday and professional interactions.
The Program began in May 2022, when Gii responded to a request for ESL instruction from a Ukrainian refugee who had just settled in Austin, Texas. Gii referred her to the HOFT Institute and provided a semester-long scholarship for ESL study. Not long afterwards, five additional Ukrainian refugee students joined the course and also received scholarships. Dozens more prospective students expressed interest in joining ESL classes, indicating a critical need for a formalized program that led to the establishment of this program that was originally referred to as LAURA (Language Acquisition for Ukrainian refugees in Austin).
As the program grew, Blair Bourassa, Vice President and Academic Director of the HOFT Institute, undertook its management and began teaching courses online pro bono for almost a year. As interest in the program outstripped available resources, the program waitlist continued to expand. To meet the growing interest, Gii initiated a partnership with Austin Jews and Partners for Refugees (AJPR), who provided funds to cover teacher salaries and administrative expenses to finance two additional ten-week semesters of the program.
The program graduated a class of 70 students, but a staggering 100+ refugees remain on the waitlist. This program is poised for growth and ready to expand its impact, with a Spring 2024 class of 80, but urgently requires additional funding to cover the cost of course materials, teacher salary, and administrative expenses.
All instructors are experienced and compassionate. The first student to sign up for the program, Elizabeth Aruhunova has taken on the role of Program Coordinator and Gii is appreciative of her encouragement in helping us recognize the need as well as market and promote the offering.
Your support is critical to meet the needs of both present and future students. Join us in empowering refugees to unlock their potential and transform lives. We accept individual donations so that Gii can continue offering the program to qualified refugee students based in the Austin Metropolitan area and beyond. Support the program by clicking here.
Program Details
Courses are taught in thirteen-week semesters, with the opportunity to test into the next level and continue study at the end of each semester
Classes meet online three times a week for two hours each meeting, with the expectation that students will devote additional time to completing assignments before and after class
Instructors are native English speakers with more than six years of experience teaching ESL to adults
Each class is capped at 12 students to ensure that each student has sufficient time for practice and feedback
Six levels of English language training are offered
Courses utilize study material from Pearson Publishing, including online and physical textbooks, audio files, and workbooks
All participants receive resume assistance from Gii and are actively supported in obtaining skill-aligned employment.
Testimonials
“Many thanks to the organizers of the English language course. This course helped me a lot, now I understand tenses and build sentences correctly, I learned a lot of new words. The fear of communication has finally disappeared. The instructor was excellent and has excellent teaching methods. The training time flew by very quickly, but the main thing now I can say that I have knowledge of the English language. There is a lot of independent work ahead, but now there is no fear of learning, practicing, and brainstorming new things in English. Just THANK YOU!!!!!”
~Nina Kriukova
“I recently completed a 10-week online group English course, and I am satisfied with the experience. Even though it was virtual, the course was well-organized. The teacher knew their stuff and was good at teaching online. The course materials were comprehensive and tailored to our level, covering all the necessary grammar, vocabulary, and language skills needed to progress. Overall, I highly recommend this online group course. It is an excellent choice for anyone looking to improve their English.”
~Julia Triastsyna
“I am very glad that I wasn’t afraid and filled out the application for the English course. Thanks to our teacher for working with us with such dedication. Our lessons are held in a friendly atmosphere, it’s very inviting and even more motivating.I can confidently say that I feel like my English level has improved. Thank you all!”
~Alona Mousiness
“I really enjoy learning English with the LAURA Program. I am very happy to be a student of this course. Our teacher is wonderful! This English course is the best.”
~Nataliia Shkyrta
“I did not expect such professionalism and such an excellent language learning program. These courses gave me an incredible experience and an incredible breakthrough in knowledge. I improved my understanding of English, expanded my vocabulary, and learned colloquial sayings and words. Thank you to everyone who organized this course!”
~Tanya Movchan
“I want to thank the team of the LAURA Program and their English teachers for such an amazing course for Ukrainians. The program is full of interesting and useful information with a huge variety of topics for improving your speaking skills! I want to highlight the work of the teachers of this course. They are truly passionate and professionals in their field who love their job and are always ready to keep up any topics of conversation and share their opinion with their students. I’ve missed only one lesson, but I wish I didn’t because it’s always a useful opportunity to find out useful grammar rules and new information. Thank you a lot for your work and the energy during all lessons!”
~Svetlana Fastovets
“The time spent at the English language school together with our teacher Mr. Blair was the happiest and really effective in terms of improving the level of spoken English and grammar. The lessons are so rich that they pass quickly and efficiently. I would really like to continue my studies with our group of people from Ukraine.”
~Rymma Kandybka
“We’re so lucky to be part of the English group. Mr. Bourassa is an amazing teacher who has been so patient with us. We felt very welcomed and included. We’ve learnt so much! Now we understand small conversations and we feel more comfortable going to public places like grocery stores and parks by ourselves. More importantly, it sparked our interest to continue learning English.”
~Tetyana & Oley Pankov