A Lee University TESOL major is shown teaching a CELL course for community members. Registration for the fall 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, Sept. 9, and conversation classes will begin on Thursday, Sept. 11.
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.
“It is a wonderful privilege to offer these courses to the community every semester," said Dr. Blake, professor of teaching English as a second language and linguistics, TESOL Program Coordinator, and director of CELL. "I love to see people from all ages and backgrounds attending classes each week—from young children all the way to grandparents. Their motivation and perseverance are truly an inspiration to us. 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 $20 fee for each student per semester. English literacy classes, which focus on 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 on Lee’s campus, with signs directing students to the building and room.
For more information or to register for classes, visit leecell.org, email Dr. Blake at cblake@leeuniversity.edu, or call (423) 614-8223.