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ESOL and Basic Literacy
IIB clients enter our programs with a wide range of educational backgrounds. Some clients have served as surgeons, judges and lawyers in their native countries; other clients have never picked up a pencil. Additional challenges include non-transferable education and lack of accreditation to practice one’s field in the U.S.
Education Services at IIB consists of 2 distinct programs English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Basic Literacy
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
IIB provides quality ESOL instruction to immigrants and refugees. Over time IIB’s Education Services Program has created a program design that coordinates morning intensive classes with evening classes, integrates students with other services at IIB, incorporates volunteers, and includes the resources of an expanding computer lab. All educational programs, teachers and volunteers have the support of an extensive resource library.
Basic Literacy
IIB’s Basic Literacy class serves immigrant and refugee adults who are non-literate or semi-literate in their native language, or who come from countries with non-Roman alphabets - such as Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and China. The need for basic literacy is great, as newcomers rely on literacy education to provide them with the tools to overcome multiple barriers to self-sufficiency. Without these basic skills, they have minimal ability to secure decent jobs, gain access to needed services, assist children with school demands or actively participate in community life. Beginning learners require specialized instruction in a class environment that does not require them to compete with classmates who have considerably more education. IIB offers Boston’s only daytime class that is specifically designed to meet the needs of learners at this level.
Program Offerings
IIB's Education Program offers 5 levels of Literacy instruction and 5 levels of ESOL classes in the days and evenings and whose teachers are recognized as leaders in the Basic Literacy field for their curriculum development. The entire curriculum for all education classes is based on life skills and self-advocacy. As students learn the English language, they are also given tools that enable them to speak up for themselves, ask questions and seek information.
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