ESL (English as a Second Language) began at Second Baptist in September 1991. Since that time our program has been a cooperative mission effort with River Road Church, Baptist. Currently, the teaching staff includes members of a number of different Richmond area churches and faiths.
We concentrate on teaching conversational English so that the students may function better on the telephone, in the work place, and on a face to face basis with people they encounter.
In a given year, we have many nationalities represented. Some students are refugees, while other students are in the U.S. on work visas for a few months or years. Many of our students are here as exchange students with various area schools, including the Medical College of Virginia. We continue to see an increase in the number of au pares involved in our program. With each person there is an opportunity to minister to their needs and express that we care about them because of Christ’s love. Often lives are changed and enduring friendships are built.
We also have Worship times and Bible Study on Sundays for those who speak English as a second language. We have a Spanish Language Ministry comprised of Hispanic Christians that meet in our Chapel for Worship from 11:00-12:30 p.m. Our Portuguese Language Ministry Worship is at 11:00 a.m. in Spence Hall, and has a Sunday School class that meets in room 8 in our Education Building from 9:45-10:45 a.m. All ESL students are invited to attend!
ESL classes are held Mondays from 7:00 – 9:00 pm during the Henrico County Public Schools year. Every effort is made to limit classes to a maximum of eight students per classroom. You can enroll on any Monday. There is a one time fee charge of $10.00.
The schedule on Monday nights includes a break-time when all students meet together for refreshments and viewing of items in the church’s clothes closet. Beginning, intermediate, and advanced classes are offered. In addition to English classes, we offer citizenship and TOEFL classes. Conversation partners who work one-on-one with students are available.
We welcome interested people to volunteer as teachers, substitutes, conversation partners, child care providers (or substitutes), to provide refreshments, computer training, etc. The opportunities to help are unlimited. The only requirement to work in the program is a desire to be of service to those who voluntarily come to our program in order to better themselves. Training classes for teaching conversational English are not necessary but are offered two or three times a year by various organizations throughout the area and state.
BAD WEATHER CLOSING POLICY: When bad weather closes Henrico Public Schools, there will be no ESL classes.
Our 2015-2016 registration is September 14.
Classes begin September 21.