Organization Spotlight: Bethesda Chevy Chase (BCC) English Conversation Club

October 9, 2019

Can you describe your ESOL program?

This is the BCC English Conversation Club’s 10th year of drop-in meetings for people who would like to practice conversational English to increase their confidence and ease of communication. Participants meet in a conference room at the BCC Regional Services Center in Bethesda on Wednesday mornings for 1.5 hours of informative and scintillating conversation. We provide a friendly, hospitable atmosphere for participants to connect with each other and to learn about their American community.

What are the demographics of learners, country of origin, occupation?

30-35 countries are represented annually – not all at one time – during the course of the year. On average 10-15 people attend each meeting. Many attendees have advanced academic degrees and are professionals in their home country. They are dynamic, inquisitive and interested in sharing information about their own country and experiences in other international places.

For readers who may not be familiar with your conversation club, what are some things you would like them to know about your program?

We begin the meetings with each participant talking with the whole group about an experience from the past week. Then, in smaller groups, participants speak, listen and interact. A timely topic is discussed with a prepared written hand-out with questions.
An example: We discussed gun control and gun rights terminology, providing definition and clarification of commonly heard terms.

Can you share a recent success story?

Our success stories are the participants who have “graduated”: the Italian physical education instructor who was able to resume his career here – in English; the Russian accountant who began a new career as a medical records technician; the Tajik beautician who is pursuing a license as a US esthetician.
But especially, the Japanese woman who has returned to her country with the understanding that the US values diversity. At her last meeting with the group, she shared with participants her notebook of our topics with notations, and a map marked with participants’ countries to which she had been exposed.

Patricia has volunteered in different levels of Montgomery County ESOL programs. She attended a class in Montgomery College’s TESOL Certification program, supported by a MCAEL stipend.

Noreen has lived in many countries and can share experiences of different languages and cultures.

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

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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.

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