The Community ESL Program hosted by the Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Rehoboth Beach will host an Around the World with ESL event from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 18, at The Lodge at Historic Lewes, 1008 Kings Highway, Lewes.

Throughout the festive event, attendees will be treated to international cuisine, live music, raffles, virtual reality experiences and a silent auction.

To purchase tickets, go to lcosrehoboth.networkforgood.com/events/74083-around-the-world-with-esl.

The initiative is celebrating its 20th year. Enrollment is open for fall classes in Rehoboth Beach, Milford, and the program’s newest location at the Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes. Classes at the Beebe campus are conducted by Community ESL in partnership with Beebe Healthcare. Building on a partnership with Beebe Healthcare that began in January 2023, Community ESL has provided two semesters of learning at the new location to date. The nursing school campus offers a state-of-the-art classroom, and classes follow the same curriculum as those taught at other Community ESL program locations. Coursework offered at the Beebe location is tailored to students at varying stages of beginner English-language proficiency. The program helps non-native speakers improve their language skills, enhance their educational and career opportunities, and share their expertise and talents with the southern Delaware communities where they live and work. 

For more information about the program, go to lcosrehoboth.org/esl-program.

ESL instructors Janet Palmisano and Melanie Steinmetz led classes last semester for students whose native languages included Spanish, Arabic and indigenous Guatemalan. In one of Palmisano’s classes, students wrote their names on the white board in their native languages and were surprised to see how much the Arabic alphabet differed from that used in both English and Spanish. For many students, the exercise provided a window into some of the unique challenges their classmates face when working to improve their English language skills. “The students weren’t just learning English; they were creating community,” said Palmisano.

In addition to providing a classroom facility, Beebe staff assists ESL instructors by providing technological support, as well as space and time to prepare lesson materials. Community ESL organizers are particularly grateful to Nicole Dimitriou, Beebe Healthcare organizational development and learning team member. “As Beebe Healthcare evolves to meet the needs of our people in our growing neighborhoods, we are honored to provide valuable resources and a safe place to conduct educational opportunities. Through our partnership and collaboration with the Community ESL program, Beebe Healthcare is delighted to host a space and offer comprehensive English as a Second Language instruction for individuals in our community. By providing tailored language education, we empower our diverse community to overcome language barriers and access the quality healthcare services they deserve. Together, we are fostering inclusivity and enhancing healthcare experiences for all,” said Dimitriou.