Community ESL opens adult registration for winter classes
Sussex County’s Community English as a Second Language Program’s fall 2025 semester concludes Thursday, Nov. 13—marking 21 years of fostering English language literacy throughout lower Delaware.
Staffed by volunteer teachers and hosted by the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, the program offers day or evening classes for non-native speaking adults committed to improving their English-language skills, integrating into the local communities where they live and work, and pursuing educational and employment opportunities that allow them to share their skills and talents with fellow Sussex County residents.
Welcoming new students and teacher volunteers, Community ESL announced registration is open for winter semester classes, set to begin Tuesday, Jan. 13 in Rehoboth Beach and Milford.
With free educational child care offered for students' children, ages 6 months to 11 years, morning and evening classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Focused on developing conversation and improving listening, reading, grammar and writing ability, classes for adults of all nationalities are offered from beginner to advanced levels.
To learn more, go to lcosrehoboth.org/esl-program or email esl@lcosrehoboth.org.
The program is made possible through grants and donations from individuals and organizations like the Arsht Cannon Fund, whose $25,000 grant is helping to fund the full academic year. With support generous support, Community ESL serves more than 200 students annually from countries all around the world. Just as important to the program’s success is its cadre of talented instructors. The diverse educational backgrounds, professional contributions, teaching philosophies and life experiences they bring to their classrooms enrich the experience of every student.
Instructors from classes in each of the program’s six proficiency levels—from beginner to advanced-—say they’re inspired by their students’ contagious dedication.
“They’re so motivated to make a home here, seeing their commitment makes you want to provide them with the best experience,” said Amy Conrick. A Basic/Level 1 instructor at the Milford satellite campus, Conrick studied Old English and Old Irish in a master’s program abroad. After a career of editing, writing and managing at a nonprofit addressing transportation issues, Conrick said the ESL program allows her to continue working creatively. She enjoys teaching large classes, facilitating peer-to-peer conversation, building relationships with students, and hearing them discuss their goals and dreams.
Rosalba Bellen and Suzanne Ketchum came to the program with decades of classroom experience. Bellen taught high school Spanish for nearly 40 years before retiring. A non-native speaker whose first language is Italian, she relates to the struggles of learning a new language. Students come to Bellen’s basic classes with little to no English-language experience. She’s amazed that despite working long hours, they manage to attend and participate enthusiastically. Bellen said she wishes people knew how hard these students work in and out of the classroom to better their lives.
Ketchum, who joined the program in 2024, said the students are grateful and want to learn. After 35 years in public elementary education, she says that teaching adults differs because she doesn’t need to spend time enforcing rules or ensuring students pay attention. Ketchum uses her background in educational technology to integrate tools like an interactive whiteboard, picture-reliant vocabulary and software-based games.
The program’s longest-serving teacher, Paula Roberts, was an attorney whose work focused on low-income women and children. After she retired, Roberts decided to repurpose the skills she’d honed in the legal field—breaking down complex information into understandable concepts—and apply them to teaching. She spent a year in post-communist Hungary providing English instruction to high school students before joining the Community ESL program in 2007. Roberts notes that it’s important after retirement to have a purpose.
Rick Buske, a retired federal IT specialist, agrees that purpose is important. The most satisfying aspects of his professional life were training, evaluating and assisting colleagues. In his classes, Buske uses visual technology and pictures to provide universal vocabulary for his students, whose native languages include Ukrainian, Spanish and Vietnamese. As a Level 3 teacher, Buske views his primary role as helping higher-proficiency students build confidence. “It's an honor for me to be able to help them in their journey,” said Buske.
