English Program

English Course and Personal English Tutors

Project Background/Need:

Proficiency in the English language is an extremely important (and often necessary) skill to have if one wants to succeed in the employment world. However, for a large percentage of Ethiopian Israeli university graduates, the English language serves as a major obstacle when looking for a job and looking to be promoted, as few have a substantial background in the English language, and many lack confidence in their spoken English. While these university graduates have succeeded in completing their Bachelor's Degrees and have extremely high level abilities, their significantly low level of English proficiency often prevents them from getting accepted to or getting promoted at many jobs, especially those in which English proficiency is a particular necessity.

As a result of the importance of English proficiency in succeeding and getting promoted in the working world, Olim Beyahad initiated intensive English Courses to improve participants' proficiency in the language, while also offering additional personal assistance from English tutors when necessary.

Target Population:

Ethiopian Israeli university graduates and students who are participating or have previously participated in Olim Beyahad's "University Graduates" or "University Students" programs.

Project Goals:

• To improve Ethiopian Israeli university graduates' and students' proficiency in the English language, with an emphasis on professional business English and spoken English.
• To provide Ethiopian Israeli university graduates and students with another tool that will assist them in finding a suitable job, succeeding at the job, and getting promoted in the future.

Method/Project Description:

The English Coursesconsist of 2 types of classes - a beginner's level class and an advanced level class – while each level meets as a separate course. The beginner's level class aims to improve participants' basic foundation of the language, improve grammar, and help them develop self confidence in their ability to speak English. In the advanced level class, participants begin to work on their reading and writing skills, as well as their reading comprehension. Each course lasts 2.5 months, meeting once a week for a total of 12 meetings per course. Throughout the course, participants prepare and make presentations in English. Olim Beyahad has also purchased numerous English reading books and makes them available for participants' to borrow, with the goal of encouraging them to read books in English throughout the course. Each course consists of 12-15 participants, each of whom pays a nominal participation fee.

Since the course is geared towards Olim Beyahad program participants and graduates, in addition to providing participants with an opportunity to improve their proficiency in the English language, the course also strengthens Olim Beyahad's internal social network and strengthens the participants' abilities and self confidence. The course instructors are among the top quality professionals in their field, and they focus on presenting the course in an enjoyable way that enables participants to overcome their fear of the language.

In addition to the lectures and group exercises, the course also provides participants with personal English tutors when necessary. These tutors are extremely beneficial in many circumstances – for individuals who have an exceptionally low level of English and have difficulties keeping up with the rest of the class; individuals with little confidence in their ability to speak English who require some on-on-one assistance and encouragement; individuals working on their thesis for their MA who need assistance with the academic level of English that they encounter; etc. Often, the personal connections created between the English tutors and course participants are similar to the connections formed between program participants and their personal mentors. These tutors often share something in common with the participants, as many of them immigrated to Israel from America, England, or another English-speaking country.

The personal tutors continue to assist participants for as long as necessary.