ENGLISH CLASSES
Where: Westwood Middle School, Media Center 3215 NW 15 Ave, Gainesville, FL 32605
When: September 26, 2023 - November 16, 2023
Every Tuesday/ Thursday from 6:30pm to 8:00pm
For more information or to attend a class and sign up, please email, text or call the following contact:
352-234-6015
gnvenglishclass@gmail.com - esol@cheinstitute.org-
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Registration Fee: $40 - includes workbook
SCHEDULE
Tue 09/26/2023
06:30 - 8:00 PM
Thu 09/28/2023
06:30 - 8:00 PM
Tue 10/03/2023
06:30 - 8:00 PM
Thu 10/05/2023
06:30 - 8:00 PM
Tue 10/10/2023
Thu 10/12/2023
06:30 - 8:00 PM
06:30 - 8:00 PM
Tue 10/17/2023
06:30 - 8:00 PM
Thu 10/26/2023
Tue 10/31/2023
06:30 - 8:00 PM
Thu 11/02/2023
06:30 - 8:00 PM
Tue 11/07/2023
06:30 - 8:00 PM
Thu 11/09/2023
Tue 11/14/2023
Thu 11/16/2023
06:30 - 8:00 PM
06:30 - 8:00 PM
06:30 - 8:00 PM
FAQs
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Who can qualify as a student?
The Fall 2023 semester is reserved for only students who are at the beginner level. There are no additional requirements, aside from the registration fee to become a student.
When does registration close?:
The last day to register will be 10/6/2023, or until the class is full.
We will accept admissions to the first 30 students who register.
Do you need a book?
Your registration fee covers the student workbook, that you will use for in-class and out of class activities.
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What if I can’t attend every Tuesday/Thursday?
We understand that sometimes circumstances arise that are unable to keep certain commitments. However, due to the high demand of our classes, we urge our students to do their best to keep our class schedule. Students who have less than 75% attendance (miss 3 days of classes) or have back to back missed classes, will be removed for the course and given to another interested student. The registration fee is non-refundable.
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What if I cannot read or speak English?
For the Fall 2023 classes, we are only taking beginner students. If you do not speak, read or write English, this is the class for you!
Is there a cost to the classes?
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The registration & book fee cost is $40. These funds cover a copy of the workbook that will be used in class, and that the students will keep, in addition to any additional supplies. Additionally, a portion of these fees go towards funding the program expenses.
If you would like to support our program to keep it affordable and/or to sponsor a student, please consider giving us a donation!
Here is our Amazon classroom wishlist or contact us in the below link
https://www.cheinstitute.org/contact-us
Who are the Volunteer instructors & program coordinators?
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The ESOL program is completely operated by volunteers with a passion and common goal to give back to our community and provide an informal & relaxed platform to help you learn and improve your English. Just like our students, our volunteers have varied and dynamic backgrounds; from recent UF graduates, to working professionals, we are a dynamic and diverse group seeking to have a direct impact in our community. Come learn with us;
We are invested in your future!
Meet The Team
Cinthya Gaxiola has been a volunteer instructor and ESOL program coordinator in Gainesville for nearly eight years, and is excited to help expand the program to reach underserved communities. As an immigrant, Cinthya understands first hands the challenges and difficulties that many people face when moving to the United States with little to no mastery of the English Language. Having this platform provides an outlet for her to give back to her community in a meaningful and personal way. Outside of her professional and volunteer roles, Cinthya enjoys spending time with her family and has too many hobbies including gardening, playing guitar/drums and knitting.. She also loves everything google!
Cinthya Gaxiola
Program Director/Chair
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Constanza Bennedetti
Program Coordinator
Constanza Benedetti Kowalenko (Kiki) was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. She is an alumna of the University of Florida with a major in Political Science and a minor in English. Back in Venezuela, she used to perform as a substitute teacher for elementary, middle, and high school, specializing in the teaching of multiple languages such as Spanish, English, French, and Latin. As an immigrant herself, Kiki understands the difficulties it takes to learn a new language, especially English. In her time at UF, Kiki was the External Service Director of the Hispanic Student Association, which gave her the opportunity to become a volunteer in both the English and Citizenship classes. In her free time, Kiki demonstrates a passion for subjects such as International Human Rights, Latin American Literature, and poetry. On the weekends, she likes to spend time with her adopted pets.
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Alicia VonLehe
Lead Instructor
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Originally from Venezuela, Alicia brings over two decades of experience in teaching a second language. Alicia earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration at a Venezuelan university and furthered her education by enrolling at the University of Florida English Language Institute (ELI) program in 1980. After finishing the ELI program, Alicia established herself in Gainesville and began working as an ESOL assistant in 1983, where she helped bilingual children learn English. After realizing the need for Spanish teachers, Alicia enrolled in a master’s program in Spanish at the University of Florida and was hired at Santa Fe College as a Spanish Instructor shortly after graduating. After many years as an educator, 16 of which she taught at Santa Fe Community College, Alicia retired. However, she is excited to bring her many years of experience teaching another language and continuing to her mission of helping others through education.
Tatiana Estrada
Instructor
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Tatiana is a researcher that has a passion for sharing learning tools with all. She has a decade of STEM teaching experience. Spanish is her first language and is still learning the nuances of the English language. As a curiosity-driven instructor, she hopes to lend practical lessons catered to her student's needs. Tatiana enjoys connecting and serving the local community, her church family, and her family. Some of her hobbies include best product research, being outdoors, cooking, and catching up with friends.
Barbara Bray
Social Media & Marketing Coordinator
Originally from Chile, Bárbara, the youngest of 3 sisters, always had the curiosity to learn about new cultures, countries and languages. Because travel was always in her plans, after she graduated with a degree in Business Administration, Barbara took her first vacation to Florida. That trip marked a profound change in her life, and she pursued a career in food chain quality control that allowed her the opportunity to live and work in many different parts of the USA. She met her husband in one of her job relocations, and after getting married, they decided to make Gainesville home. Although English was not her favorite subject at the University, she always understood that it was very necessary to learn another language, because of the opportunities that a second language presents. In an effort to continue improving her English, Bárbara enrolled in ESOL classes, and simultaneously began working with the program coordinators as the marketing coordinator and social media content manager. As a Spanish speaker, Barbara knows first hand the difficulties that people face in the United States when they have limited English proficiency, in addition to the challenges of learning and improving the language every day; Because of this, she is motivated to help others achieve their goals to learn and improve their English. In addition to her volunteering, Barbara enjoys traveling, photography, gardening, crafts, and many other hobbies.
Cinthya Gaxiola has been a volunteer instructor and ESOL program coordinator in Gainesville for nearly eight years, and is excited to help expand the program to reach underserved communities. As an immigrant, Cinthya understands first hands the challenges and difficulties that many people face when moving to the United States with little to no mastery of the English Language. Having this platform provides an outlet for her to give back to her community in a meaningful and personal way. Outside of her professional and volunteer roles, Cinthya enjoys spending time with her family and has too many hobbies including gardening, playing guitar/drums and knitting.. She also loves everything google!
Engracia Medina
Program Assistant
Kimberly Sanchez
Program Assistant
David Sankey
Program Assistant
Riley Moon
Program Coordinator
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Gabriel Acosta
Program Coordinator
Gabriel Acosta is a current 4th year psychology major at the University of Florida, with plans to apply to medical school after he graduates. Gabriel grew up in Fort Myers and has lived in Florida his whole life. He has spent much of his time volunteering with organizations that have sought to address many of the social determinants of health, such as the Equal Access Clinic, the Helping Hands Clinic, and Hospitaliteam at Shands.
Kathy Colverson
Instructor
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Berni Marrero
Instructor
Veronica Charbonnet
Instructor
Dahlia Fabregat
Intern
Dahlia Fabregat is a fourth year student at the University of Florida (UF) majoring in Education Sciences and Spanish. She was born in Cuba, and lived in Miami prior to attending UF where she is involved with various student groups including the Hispanic Student Association, the Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement, and the McNair Scholars Program. She is a research assistant for faculty in the College of Education where she investigates the experiences of Latinx ESOL Paraprofessionals and students’ engagement within YPAR (Youth Participatory Action Research). She plans to attend graduate school and eventually obtain a Ph.D in Critical Issues in Education with the hope of highlighting issues affecting the Hispanic/Latinx community in the public education space. She looks forward to contributing to the local community, and working with CHEI to expand the reach of the ESOL classes.Â