Redwood ESL

Free ESL Tutoring For Immigrants

Your tutor will help you gain confidence in written and spoken English. You will increase your vocabulary and understand the simple rules of English grammar. Your tutor will help you become fluent in English and speak like a native.

What happens during a Redwood ESL tutoring session?

During your tutoring sessions, your tutor will encourage you to talk about topics that interest you. This will help you expand your vocabulary and become more confident in speaking English. Different people work at different speeds, so we help you achieve fluency at a pace that works for you.

You start each session with a casual conversation. Then you will review what you learned in the last session and what you have been practicing. This reinforces and clarifies what you have been learning. It is conversational, so you expand your vocabulary and improve your pronunciation.

Following that review, your tutor will introduce a new ESL subject, such as nouns or punctuation. For this part of the meeting, you and your tutor will often view online video lessons on your PC via Zoom. Sometimes, you will write sentences or correct sentences that you have already written. You will learn new words and new ways to talk more confidently.

At the end of the tutoring session, the tutor will suggest additional ways to improve your English and will give you an assignment to complete for the following session. Your tutor will work at your pace, and you will soon become more comfortable with English conversation.

People frequently ask these questions about our service:

• Will I have to buy books or pay fees? There are no expenses, books, or fees. This ESL service is 100% free.

• Who qualifies for this free service? Immigrants who are working, supporting a family, or taking an ESL class. Candidates must possess basic laptop skills and agree to practice between sessions. Here are descriptions of some students we have tutored.

• What if something unexpected comes up and I'm unable to participate in a meeting? You can always cancel or reschedule a meeting if you give your tutor notice.

• Can Redwood ESL tutor my child? Sorry, the service is meant for adult immigrants 18 years of age or older.

• What can you tell me about my tutor? Your tutor will be a patient, experienced volunteer focusing on your specific ESL needs. Some of our tutors are retired, and all have mastered English through teaching or other work. They are all lifelong American-English speakers who will help you speak like a native.

• Can I meet my tutor before I start the program? You and your tutor might work together for several years, so it is important that you get off to a good start. In an introductory Zoom meeting, you can introduce yourself to your tutor and ask questions about the program. The tutor will be interested in your background, your interests, and your language skills. You will also be able to talk about schedules and your commitment to improving your English.

• Will my tutor help me with situations that require English support? Yes. Working on real-life situations is one of the best ways to master spoken English and become fluent. Here are some success stories.

• When can I start? You can usually start without delay.

• What days and what times are the sessions? Tutors' schedules are flexible, so you will not have difficulty agreeing on a schedule that works for both of you.

• Is person-to-person tutoring a good way to learn English? This is the most effective way to improve basic English. We systematically tutor you in those parts of English that you find difficult. These are personalized lessons. Speaking English in your workplace or with your family is also extremely helpful.

• Will my tutor speak my native language? In some cases, your tutor will be familiar with your native language. Our tutors are skilled at guiding people with limited English skills. We tutor in English to help you become fluent in English more quickly. We tutor in both online and in-person formats.

• What cities does Redwood ESL work in? Some lessons are better understood in person, so we primarily tutor people who live in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. We limit ourselves to a small territory because we sometimes need to meet with the student.

• Where do we meet? For in-person meetings, you and your tutor will meet at a school, a library, or some other public place that is convenient for both of you. For online meetings, you should be in a quiet place with a reliable wi-fi signal.

• What equipment do I need? You need a laptop with a working camera, microphone, and a reliable Wi-Fi signal. Our tutoring approach requires a laptop; a phone will not work. 

• What computer skills will I need? You will need to be familiar with your laptop. Necessary functions include: cutting, pasting, saving, logging on to sites, and following your tutor's instructions.

• Does Redwood ESL provide technical training? We will assist you with any technical issues, but we expect you to be able to use your laptop independently.

• Why is this program free? Redwood ESL is a private non-profit community service supported by individuals who have lived with and worked with immigrants throughout their lives. Our staffing needs are minimal, and our tutors are unpaid volunteers, so our expenses are low enough to offer free ESL tutoring.

• How do I apply for this service? Tap the Contact Us button. Your tutor will respond within 48 hours. 

You can improve your English, and we're here to help. 

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