By Anthony Stanford –
What’s going on with English as a Second Language (ESL) and U.S. citizenship classes at Aurora Public Library (APL)? Well, the correct answer is there is plenty.
That’s right, the free courses sponsored by APL and taught by instructors from the College of DuPage to help adults improve their English skills are getting under way at the Richard and Gina Santori Library in Aurora and Eola Road Branch.
According to Veronica Villagomez-Spycher, who, along with Yiota Piraino, leads APL’s Welcome to America Committee: “Citizenship corners are up and running at all library locations. Customers can check out citizenship kits, flashcards and other materials needed to successfully pass the U.S. citizenship exam. This Summer, the Eola Road Branch will have ELA classes. The Santori location will offer ESL classes for beginner learners. Both classes, at Eola and Santori, are free and registration is required.”
English classes at the Eola Road Branch started May 29 and will end August 2. The last day to enroll is Thursday, June 7. Classes are being held Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Eola Branch Library from 9 a.m. until 11:50 a.m.. The Santori location will offer ESL classes for beginning learners Thursday evenings starting June 7. The classes will end July 26.
Yiota Piraino, Adult Reference Librarian at the Eola Road branch of APL, describes the impact of the classes on library customers, by saying, “We’re very grateful to (be a) partner with the College of DuPage to offer English classes at the Eola Road Branch Library. There’s been an increased need within the community that visits the library interested in improving their English skills, and with the College of DuPage, we’re able to hold satellite classes right here in the library, reaching more people within the community.”
For additional information related to the classes, contact the Eola Branch Library at 630-264-3400 or the Santori Library at 630-264-4100, or check out the library’s ESL and citizenship resources at www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/citizenship_resources. Visit the library’s Facebook pages in both English and Spanish.
Anthony Stanford is an author and Aurora Public Library Media Consultant.