Hamden Libraries Enhancing English as a Second Language Program

Hamden's public libraries are now offering a complete adult English language curriculum, courtesy of grant funding through The American Dream Begins @ Your Library.

Co-sponsored by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and the American Library Association, the grant will allow Hamden's libraries to bring in tutors through Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven.

The new curriculum consisting of the multi-leveled Read This! and Vocabulary in Use series from Cambridge University Press and the Stand Out series by Heinle Cengage Learning, has been successfully used in major cities across the country to aid tutors in working with adult English language learners who wish to improve their reading, writing and conversational skills.

Classes and tutoring sessions are held regularly at Miller Memorial Library at 2901 Dixwell Avenue on Monday evenings and Friday mornings. Brundage Community Library at 91 Circular Avenue is currently gathering contact information from adults who would like to attend sessions at that location. Those interested in registering for Miller Library classes should call 203-287-2680 while those who would like to join a group at Brundage Community Branch may call 201-287-2675.

In addition to onsite small group tutoring and English conversation classes, Hamden Public Library also offers online English language learning materials through Mango Languages which can be accessed by Hamden Library cardholders (Hamden residents may obtain a library card at any of the library’s 3 locations by presenting photo ID and proof of Hamden residency)  through the library’s website (www.hamdenlibrary.org) in the Databases section. Mango provides a selection of ESL exercises—both written and aural—for speakers of more than 15 different native languages. Users can also download a mobile app for accessing Mango on a variety of smart devices.

The American Dream Begins at Your Library grant has also funded a cooperative effort between the Hamden Public Library, Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven and the Hamden Adult Education department to inform potential adult English language learners about the variety of times and locations classes and tutoring sessions are available throughout Hamden. Calendars listing Monday through Friday classes held throughout the town including the libraries, Keefe Community Center and Church Street School as well as contact phone numbers for all programs will be distributed through the libraries as well as other locations in town.

For further information about English language learning at the Hamden Libraries, call 203-287-2680. Those interested in working as volunteer tutors in Hamden are urged to call Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven at 203-776-5899.

The above information came from a press release.