About
The mission of Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM) is to ensure that families have the means to meet their basic needs. The Literacy Advance program at MAM focuses on helping families meet their basic needs through English literacy, working alongside adults to improve their language and literacy so that they can achieve their life goals.
Volunteers work with small groups of adults who are learning English (focused on speaking and listening). Our volunteers work closely with their small group, encouraging them to learn together around a table. Rather than a “lecture-from-the-front” teaching approach, we aim for the students to speak as much as possible.
Adults in English classes are placed according to their ability level, to form groups of around 5 – 8. Volunteers do NOT need to speak another language to lead a class as we strongly encourage all classes to be conducted in English. This program is known as ESL (English as a Second Language).
Volunteers have flexibility when selecting a schedule from a variety of options, across three semesters every year. Core classes are held twice a week (Monday & Wednesday or Tuesday & Thursday, 2 hours per lesson) or once a week (usually Friday or Saturday, 3 hours per lesson). Each core class meets for a total of 48 hours of class time – classes that meet twice per week are scheduled for 12 weeks, and classes that meet once per week are scheduled for 16 weeks.
There are shorter, and more varied options for supplemental classes – get in touch to learn more!
