A Lee University TESOL major is shown teaching a CELL course for community members this past fall. Registration for the spring CELL courses is now open.
Lee University’s Department of Language and Literature will offer English as a Second Language classes to the community through its Center for English Language and Literacy. Literacy classes will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 4, and conversation classes will begin on Thursday, Feb. 6.
CELL will offer five levels of conversation classes for all levels of learners, ranging from beginners who have little to no prior English instruction to speakers who are advanced in their knowledge of the English language.
Childcare (ages 1-6) and English language instruction (ages 7-12) will be offered by trained students who will lead English lessons and activities suited for these age groups.
CELL is led by Dr. Chris Blake, professor of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages) and linguistics and TESOL program coordinator. The English classes are taught by Lee student instructors who have been professionally trained in the TESOL program.
"I am always inspired by the adult students who attend our classes every week," said Dr. Blake. "Their motivation and perseverance are truly remarkable. CELL is an amazing learning community, and these students—from 30 different countries—are at its heart. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of the First Horizon Foundation, Dollar General Literacy Foundation, and Athens Federal Foundation, whose support makes all of this possible."
There is a $10 fee for each student per semester. English literacy classes, including reading and writing, will be held on Tuesday evenings, and conversation classes will be held on Thursday evenings. All classes will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Walker Memorial Building, with signs directing students to the building and room.
For more information, or to register for classes, visit www.leecell.org. You may contact Dr. Blake at cblake@leeuniversity.edu, or call 614-8223.