Excellent point, Sally. We can't simply assume that people can read fliers,
even if they're printed in other languages -

 

I'd suggest contacting people who provide services used by immigrants
(clinic personnel, school social workers/office staff/parent liaisons,
apartment managers) and tell them about the classes. If possible, go in
person to talk to them and get "buy-in": emphasize how the classes would
help people communicate in English so they can understand a nurse's
questions/talk to teachers/help their kids with homework/report apartment
problems . . . 

 

I'd also recommend emphasizing on the printed materials - and in
communications with current students - that your program offers classes for
beginners, even if they can't read or write in their own language. Sometimes
students mistakenly assume that if they don't have prior schooling (or much
of it), they can't take classes here. Get the word out to everyone you know
that you have beginner classes for everyone, and they'll pass it along.

 

For instance, a few years ago I went to a MacDonald's near our class site
and spoke to a manager, who was an immigrant herself. She persuaded a few of
the employees to take classes; I know from having them in my literacy class
that they couldn't have deciphered a flier at that point. I also think that
having a little "push" from someone they knew and trusted helped them get up
the nerve to register (don't forget how intimidating that thought can be!). 

 

Other ideas, anyone?

 

Betsy

  _____  

From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Sally Bishop
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 3:10 PM
To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List
Subject: [EnglishLanguage 3064] Re: ESL Recruitment strategies

 

Your ideas for recruitment are excellent.  We have overwhelming response to
our classes, but I am wondering what ideas you might have for reaching the
ESL preliterate adult considering that they do not speak, read, or write in
any language and may not wish to acknowledge their literacy issues.

Sally

On Thu, Oct 30, 2008 at 8:01 AM, Betsy Wong <betsywong at comcast.net> wrote:

Here are some strategies we have used for our adult ESL community ed
program:

1) Most obvious -- fliers everywhere (groceries, bus shelters, churches,
laundromats, rec centers, fast food joints)

2) Health clinics and libraries -- go in person with fliers. Ask if you may
leave some at the reception desk (and at the main information desk at the
library). Make sure that you tell the receptionist/librarian about the
program so that they may pass along the word verbally (remember, not
everyone reads).

3) K-12 ESL intake center -- again, go in person and see if the staff will
mention the program and/or give out fliers to parents who register their
kids for ESL classes.

4) K-12 back to school nights -- have representatives from your program go
in person and be on hand to talk about the program.

5) School social workers/parent liaisons (particularly bilingual ones) --
Contact them with info. about your program to pass along to parents.

6) Go to apartment complexes. See if management will allow you to leave a
stack of fliers in the laundry room and/or in individual mailboxes.

7) Write to local businesses that employ large numbers of immigrants. Ask
them to help you get the word out (e.g., by posting a flier where employees
would see it and/or encouraging them to take classes).

If you're doing these things and you're still not getting the numbers, you
might want to look at where/when you have classes: Are people able to easily
get to classes by foot or on the bus? (And if by bus, does class let out
before the last bus comes?) Are there childcare issues that you could
address? Is the time simply not convenient for people?

GOOD LUCK!

-------------------------------
Betsy Lindeman Wong
Lead ESL Teacher
Alexandria Adult and Community Education

-----Original Message-----
From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Burger, Karen
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 9:10 AM
To: 'englishlanguage at nifl.gov'
Subject: [EnglishLanguage 3055] ESL Recruitment strategies

Our state has seen in increase in its ESL population over the last few
years.  This growth is sometimes not reflected in our ESL enrollments.  Can
anyone offer recruitment strategies, intake materials and / or program
development ideas that will help increase our ESL numbers?

Karen Burger
Professional Development Consultant
Indiana Adult Education Professional Development Project
John Beard Learning Center
1601 East College St.
Crawfordsville, IN 47933
kburger at cville.k12.in.us



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