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Learning English

Home  >  Programs & Services  >  Refugees & Asylee >  Refugee Volunteer Resources >  Learning English

While new refugees are oftentimes enrolled in free ESL classes, having opportunities to practice speaking and listening in English is essential. Volunteers can help to create a safe and supportive space where newcomers feel comfortable and confident using English.  If you are not sure where to start or which resources are most helpful, we have compiled some of our favorites below.

ESL Activities

  1. Discuss with the newcomers why it is important to learn English. Use smartphone apps like Google Translate or Chat GPT to translate from English to other languages.
  2. Make sure they know how to say their name, address, and phone number in English.
  3. Check out an Oxford English Picture Dictionary or similar visual resources at the library. Use these words/pictures books to help your new friends learn and practice new vocabulary.
  4. Help them download language-learning apps like Duolingo or ChatGPT on their phones. Show them how to use these tools.
  5. Attend a nearby English Conversation Group with your friend. These are practical, informal learning programs often hosted by local libraries or refugee resettlement agencies.
  6. Cook a meal together using English ingredients, measurements, cooking utensils, etc. The meal can be either American cuisine or food the family eats. Make sure to learn some of the family’s language as well!
  7. Go somewhere (a park, a shopping center, the zoo, a store, etc.) together. Use it as an opportunity to teach about your new friends about their surroundings. Invite them to practice speaking English in real-life situations.
  8. Research and explore RTD buses and train routes together. Show them how to use Google maps and the RTD app to know which bus/train they can use to get to ESL classes. Teach them about ticket kiosks.

ONLINE ESL TOOLs

  1. Ellii: Ellii is an online platform for teaching and learning English. The platform provides lesson plans, worksheets, flashcards, videos, assessments, and interactive digital activities for English-language teachers and learners.
  2. Duolingo: Duolingo is one of the most popular free language learning apps worldwide. Through quick, gamified lessons, it aims to make practice fun while covering vocabulary, grammar, reading, listening, and speaking.
  3. ESL America: This online library provides a variety of tools to help you with all elements of ESL including grammar, conversation, life skills, and holidays. It is very thorough and provides a wide range of activities that you can do for each subject.
  4. CHatGPT (using Voice Mode): Allows English learners to develop real-time speaking fluency and conversational abilities with an AI assistant. Users speak their questions and responses out loud, practicing fluency in real-world scenarios. Covering a wide range of conversation topics, ChatGPT handles roleplaying, open-ended discussions, and personalized question sequences. The AI chatbot adapts its speech, vocabulary, and complexity to the learner's abilities.