The enthusiasm they bring to class easily outweighs the challenges."
-- Meredith Smith,
St. James ESL Tutor
Read more student & tutor stories...
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St. James ESL Program
Our Mission
The St. James ESL mission is to advance justice for refugees and immigrants through education, advocacy, and by helping the most isolated refugees and immigrants to
learn English, become citizens and connect to community resources. Read about St. James ESL history and position on immigration...
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Make an immediate difference in the life of a refugee or immigrant.
Last year, donors and volunteers helped us to serve 437 immigrants and refugees.
See our item wish list...
Announcements
New Volunteer Position
Conversation Coach
Thursdays | 4:15-5:15PM
Assist limited English speaking, adult refugee(s) and/or low-income immigrant(s) to practice conversational English so that they can better achieve personal and professional goals, and become more fully involved in their community.
Contact: Whitney at 206.382.4511 or
wpfeifer@stjames-cathedral.org
ADVANCED ESL CLASS
ESL Class for Levels 4, 5, and 6
T&TH | 10:30am-12 noon | Central Seattle
Free ESL, small group meeting in Central Seattle,
additional field trips included. Must be 18 years of age, low income, immigrant or refugee to participate. Testing provided before enrollment.
Contact: Cecelia Erin Walsh at 206-382-4511 or cwalsh@stjames-cathedral.org
News on Immigration
- After NAFTA, Mexican farmers sow uncertainty, written by former ESL tutor Mike Wold
- ACTION ALERT: Urge Napolitano to Say No to HB 56
- "Lost in Detention" airs misrepresentations of White House immigration policies
About St. James ESL
The St. James English as a Second Language Program (SJESL) is a 501(c)(3), non-sectarian, volunteer and community-based organization that provides free English instruction and Citizenship assistance to low-income adult refugees and immigrants in Seattle and King County, Washington. Founded in 1975 with one tutor and one Vietnamese student, SJESL has grown to serve students from 37 countries in all parts of the world. In 2009-2010, along with our 94 volunteers, we served 362 immigrants and refugees in King County.
ESL ADVISORY BOARD
Fawziah Al-Hlaly
Caroline Chung
Marcia Ditter
Tom FitzMacken
Suzanne Lescantz
Ana Mikel
Joyce Mork-O'Brien
Alex Perepechko
Joe Varano
"While we do not support illegal immigration we are committed to helping all persons in need regardless of their legal status...Our goal as a community of disciples is comprehensive immigration reform to provide legal pathways for family reunification, guest workers and those seeking citizenship.
We will reach out to all persons in need, including immigrants, regardless of their legal status.
This is nothing new. The Archdiocese of Seattle has a consistent and longstanding commitment to justice based on our belief in the dignity of all persons."
-- Archbishop Brunett