English At Large Hosts Learner Graduation Event

English At Large (EAL) recently hosted its first-ever learner graduation to celebrate the achievements of local immigrants enrolled in its Tutoring Program. Hosted at the Lexington Historic Depot, the event featured a formal ceremony to acknowledge the efforts of 50 learner graduates from 18 different communities who completed up to 200 hours of English language instruction to support the achievement of their life goals.

Attendees had the opportunity to hear first-hand the impact of the EAL Tutoring Program. Learner graduates Babak Biparva of Acton, who recently attained his citizenship, and Elbis Dominguez of Concord, who is working towards her credential to teach in the public schools, each spoke of their experience, with high praise and gratitude for EAL and their volunteer tutors.

Hicham Mouhsin, EAL Board President acknowledged the graduate learners in his remarks. “You have inspired the commitment of our board and our staff, the efforts of our volunteers and the support of our donors. You are the reason for our work and our mission and we could not be more proud of your accomplishments.”

Maureen Willis, EAL Executive Director offered this message to the tutors and all EAL volunteers. “Your spirit of community and dedication to your learners is the driving force behind the success of English At Large. You represent the best of what people can be and truly are the change that we all want to see in the world. We, together with the learners who lives you impact in so many ways, say thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Special thanks to refreshment donors Lexington eateries Alexander’s Pizzeria, Nick’s Place and Via Lago, as well as Food Link Arlington, Stop & Shop Lexington and Reading Cooperative Bank. Printing of the event program was donated by Standard Duplicating Machines of Andover.

EAL is a local nonprofit that provides individual and small group instruction through a volunteer network to adult immigrants and other newcomers who want to acquire English in order to adapt to life in the United States. Programs serve more than 500 learners in 21 communities each year, giving them the language skills they need to obtain a job or advance their career, enroll in school or training, obtain citizenship, support their children in school, and participate in community life. Learn more at www.englishatlarge.org.

Pictured:

EAL learner graduates include Arlington residents (left to right):

EAL Board Member Ludy Liu, Leila Dehak (learner), Olga Solovyeva (learner), Sherry Reisner (tutor), Maria Dewani (learner), EAL Board Member Eve Nichols