A More Learning Perspective from a MCAEL insider:

June 16, 2021
Monica Casañas of MCAEL with an English Innovations class of High Beginner Learners

At MCAEL we often describe our More Learning Less Teaching workshop as an intensive two-day master’s program for new instructors. It’s a short way to describe the value of the training. I’d like to share what I got out of it.

I had fallen into the trap, the I know English therefore I can teach English trap. As a little girl I would try and teach my grandparents how to speak English. As my English skills excelled I would correct my mother’s accent and her grammar in letters she’d write at work or letters to my school. Decades later this was a motivating factor in taking a position with MCAEL. I never wanted anyone to have to go through what my Grandparents and family did – not being able to communicate with doctors, missed opportunities and disconnectedness from the larger community.

When I was invited to teach an ESOL class I jumped at the opportunity. I wanted to see what it was like to formally teach. I thought teaching would help me gain perspective on my new position at MCAEL and I wanted to help people. Had I ever taught or had experience teaching? I taught people about their rights as tenants (harking back to my days as a tenant organizer) but had I taught English – no. In my mind I thought – I know English, I learned English in school, I use it every day, I think I can do this.

With dwindling attendance numbers during the first session of my ESOL class I knew I needed to make a change. I attended More Learning Less Teaching and realized I needed training and education to teach ESOL to adults. My eyes were opened. 

Basics like scaffolding, recall and ice-breakers rocked my teaching world! I felt embarrassed to have minimized how enormous the task at hand was. Granted, not everyone has a TESOL degree, nor do you necessarily need this to be a good ESOL teacher. You do however need a good foundation to grow from. I was thankful  to get this crash course through MCAEL's More Learning  program.  Following the course, my handbook and other classroom realia received much wear and tear. I met others like myself whose intentions were good but like me lacked ESOL training. It made me realize the role this training has in our community. MCAEL as a convener provides this very crucial puzzle piece – professional support and development to organizations and people who want to help immigrants acquire language skills through quality instruction. The More Learning training introduces new instructors to the foundations of ESOL and supports student learning through instructor professional development – free of charge, a huge benefit to local organizations, ESOL teachers and students.

Picture of WUMCO Help's location in Poolseville, MD.

MCAEL Partner Spotlight: WUMCO Help, Inc

By Kayla Savoy • November 1, 2024
On Friday, October 25th, the MCAEL staff had the privilege of visiting WUMCO Help's facility in Poolesville, MD. What began as a quick journey to distribute our Adult English Language Program Directories turned into an insightful tour of WUMCO’s expansive ESOL classroom, designed for local residents, and their food pantry, where they provide shelf-stable goods and fresh produce to the community. Supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, community members, and local Boy Scout troops, WUMCO is committed to addressing food, language, health, and financial insecurities in Poolesville and the surrounding areas. We are proud to partner with WUMCO Help , which began with MCAEL as a Start-Up Grant recipient in 2023 and then grew to become an Access Small Grant recipient the following year. To learn more about WUMCO and the good work of all of our current Grant Partners, click here.

Leadership Change at MCAEL

By Kathy Stevens • August 29, 2024
Dear MCAEL Community: I am writing to share with you that I will be leaving MCAEL as of early October. I have accepted a position as President and CEO at the Healthcare Initiative Foundation. After 12 years of stewarding and growing the coalition, our team, and the organization’s role in the county, it is time for me to pass the torch to new leadership and pursue some new challenges of my own. MCAEL is a strong organization that has proven the value of having one entity coordinate the work of the coalition to build a diverse network of adult English language learning opportunities. With the partnership of Montgomery County government, dedicated coalition organizations, and incredible supporters and volunteers, MCAEL continues to provide much needed and much desired English classes. With an incredible staff, the organization is well positioned to continue to meet the needs of our community. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have served as MCAEL’s Executive Director. It has been rewarding to work alongside such a remarkably talented team, engaged Board members, dedicated program staff and instructors, and committed funders and supporters. While I'll miss MCAEL, the people I've worked with, and most especially the thousands of adult learners we have been able to support, I am excited to see MCAEL continue its growth and leadership in the county. The Board of Directors is meeting to identify the search process and timeline for a successor leader of MCAEL and that information will be shared as soon as practical. I will be working with the staff, board, and coalition to ensure a thoughtful and smooth transition. Thanks to you and the many other people who support MCAEL’s work, I am confident that the organization will continue to be strong and impactful. With gratitude, Kathy Stevens

Uber Impact

By Kathy Stevens • July 30, 2024
I’ve had to use Uber more in the last month than the entire last year while my car was out of commission. As you may know, the app offers you the option to indicate your comfort level with conversation. While I was trying to lean into just relaxing on the car rides and not talking much, I couldn’t help myself and quickly started conversations with my drivers. Many of my drivers were non-native English speakers, and they shared their experiences adjusting to a new country while not being comfortable with the language. Their stories echoed an all-too-common experience among immigrants in our community, who often work at jobs below their training levels. We discussed how to find English classes, should they be interested, and I was even able to connect one of my drivers to a workforce development opportunity.  Sure, it would have been more convenient to have my car in working order so I could drive myself to work. But I never would have made these rewarding connections.
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