Massachusetts has a long history of supporting immigrant communities, including the recent surge of Haitian refugees, through various initiatives that aim to provide housing, social services, and integration support.
However, with shelters now at capacity, there is an urgent need to help quickly equip individuals with the English language skills they need to sustain a job and secure independent housing. Faced with the challenge of finding qualified English language instructors due to a teacher shortage, Massachusetts embarked on an innovative pilot program with BurlingtonEnglish.
Burlington Live Speaking is a targeted solution to help non-WIOA funded programs to fast-track opportunities for employment, education, and community engagement. This online platform offers pre-scheduled, live classes with certified Burlington instructors. This specialized platform has been instrumental in assisting the state to integrate the large numbers of Haitian refugees into their new communities.
Using the BurlingtonEnglish curriculum on the Burlington Live Speaking platform, instructors teach students in a supportive and nurturing environment, providing real-time speaking practice and personalized feedback to enhance language proficiency.
After participating in Burlington Live Speaking sessions, students can reinforce and practice the content they’ve learned through online independent student lessons. This integrated approach allows for continuous learning and application of skills.
Burington Live Speaking provides:
Customized Curriculum
- Adaptable to varying English proficiency levels, designed to help learners improve their English skills quickly and effectively.
- Covers a range of topics from life skills to workforce readiness that can be tailored to specific program needs.
Interactive and Engaging Lessons
- Interactive lessons focused on relevant topics encourage meaningful language development.
- Offers a range of content geared toward individuals of all proficiency levels including those with limited formal education or digital literacy skills.
Workplace English Courses
- Provides content focused on workplace communication, helping students gain the specific language skills needed to secure and retain employment.
- Aligns with the needs of local employers, making it an easier transition into the workforce.
Flexible Learning
- Easy accessibility on any device allows students to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule, important for those balancing language learning with work and family responsibilities.
- Real-time performance feedback boosts motivation and promotes student persistence.
“Being a part of these students’ English learning journey brings me great joy, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see their progress week by week. “
Robyn Borain Burlington Live Speaking Instructor
Conclusion
BurlingtonEnglish partners with educational institutions, community organizations, and refugee support services in Massachusetts to provide language learning solutions that meet their program goals.
Burlington Live Speaking helps alleviate the burden on traditional language learning resources by providing additional support to those needing to learn English, facilitating their integration into communities and the workforce. Additionally, many organizations and private businesses are now offering learning courses through the key contributions of Burlington for on-the-job training to hire and retain employees.
