Project Language Bridge
Project Language Bridge
P3Israel’s purpose is to partner with organizations and communities in Israel and the United States, helping them to work together, to share knowledge and experiences so that they will be able to provide even more solutions to those they serve.
Unfortunately, COVID19 has prevented us from sending teams to work in Israel. But, out of a deep sense of commitment and in the knowledge that organizations and people on both sides of the “pond” have a burning desire to serve, we have developed and started a new initiative – Project Language Bridge.
English as a second language
In our global environment, having a good grasp and understanding of English is essential. It is a major tool used by people from all nations to improve, develop, and grow. It is a vital tool when seeking employment, when applying to study at a university or just to build friendships with people from other countries. English is truly a bridge between people!
In cooperation with our friends in the USA, The Edge Institute, an NGO active for over 20 years in ESL and the Green Oaks School in Arlington, along with New Directions and House of Wheels in Israel, both serving people with special needs of all ages, Project Language Bridge has been providing extra English support and practice to students of all ages and backgrounds since October 2020.
HOW?
The project is internet based. Volunteers from the US are matched with small groups of students in Israel. Time differences are a challenge but are easily overcome. Sessions are held either in small groups of 3-4 or individually depending on circumstances and needs. P3Israel and its partners provide teachers, lesson plans, curriculums, and teaching aids where needed.
Project Language Bridge provides assistance to whoever and wherever it is needed in Israel – regardless of race, religion, gender, or creed!
Project Language Bridge focuses on three levels of ESL needs:
Level 1 Basic ESL – those who want to learn and grow their English-speaking skills
Level 2 Conversational ESL – those who want to improve their English-speaking skills
Level 3 Business Professionals – those who want to improve their English-speaking skills as a business professional.
Other potential areas of ESL include pen-pals, help with written assignments, zoom gatherings, short lectures on topics of interest followed by a Q&A session (also for larger groups), and, after COVID19, ESL summer camps in Israel and the US.
The Teachers
Teachers/mentors are drawn from Jewish communities/organizations, P3 Israel volunteers, local Churches, and various language institutes. However, as the project expands, so will our need for teachers and mentors.
Anybody can be a part of Project Language Bridge. Volunteers do not have to be qualified ESL teachers; it is enough that they be able to communicate with their students. We will match volunteers to the students they will be teaching to ensure that skills and needs match.
If you can speak English – then come and join us. If you like to get to know new people from other countries – welcome. If you are an experienced English or ESL teacher – we have a place for you.
If you speak Hebrew, then you have a place on our support teams providing real time assistance with “language barriers”.
All volunteers are given a basic orientation course regarding ESL, P3Israel and Israel itself. Teachers will also be briefed on the students they will be teaching and any special needs that must be taken into consideration.
Support will be available throughout the teaching process including assistance in coping with Hebrew/English issues.
When?
Stage 1 – Pilot - Successfully completed
Groups of 3-4 students from our partnering organizations, New Directions and House of Wheels, met weekly for 8 weeks. All those who took part enjoyed the classes and said that they wanted to continue meeting and talking. We are planning on opening more classes soon and expanding to other special needs organizations.
Stage 2 - Completed
Expand the program with our original partners and also to other organizations that have expressed a desire to partner with us. This includes organizations serving children at risk, special needs (CP, Downs Syndrome, emotionally disturbed, autism etc.) , schools, small communities, and others.
The Association of Israeli Community Venters is partnering with us to provide “Coffee and Conversation” meetings where participants in their programs can develop their English conversational skills and confidence on-line with our teachers/mentors. The first stage includes some 40 Israeli participants from across the country including Arab and Druze communities.
Stage 3 - ongoing
The sky is the limit. There has been a tremendous response to this initiative both in the US and Israel. It is our hope that we will be able to expand to include people and organizations across Israel, both Jewish and Arab, within a short space of time.
Our dream is to foster good relationships between the students and to develop lasting relationships between teachers and their students and the organizations they come from.
We live in a world in which it is all to easy to hate. Our hope is that Project Language Bridge will be a bridge that helps us all to become better people, to both help and get help from others, to gain a better understanding of our fellow man and to develop empathy for others.
A call to Arms
We need you! We cannot do this alone. If you are interested in learning more, in being a part of this mission, then please contact us at: info@P3israel.org