By Dalinda Ifill-Pressat
The YMCA International Learning Center in Woburn, MA offers free morning and evening English classes to immigrants seeking to learn English in efforts to better their lives.
The program is designed not only to teach English, but also equip attendees with knowledge on community, health, finances and the workplace environment. Classes are held from September through June.
“They’re learning the language in the context of what they need,” says Elaine Dougherty, site director.
According Dougherty, the program services immigrants from more than 20 different countries who combined speak more than 14 different languages.