Last year, a group of community leaders who work to serve refugees in Nashville, TN came together to discuss the top barriers that refugees face in attending ESL classes. The lack of transportationsurfaced at #1 on the list.

From that point on, TFLI has been working on an innovative solution to this problem. The product of which is "ESL to Go". ESL to Go is a mobile classroom that will travel to apartment complexes where refugees live offering ESL classes onsite, eliminating all transportation barriers. Thanks to the generous donation of people like YOU, we were able to purchase our dream mobile classroom.

We’re still seeking donations that will be used to support our ESL classes. With your donations, we’re able to increase our class offerings to reach more students.

It is your generosity that enables us to continue brining effective English education to refugees throughout Davidson County.

Not familiar with ESL to Go? Take a minute to read about our program!

What is ESL to Go?

ESL to Go is a mobile classroom, or a classroom on wheels, that travels to apartment complexes where refugees live.

Why does Nashville need a mobile ESL classroom?

Although it might come as a shock, Music City U.S.A. is a growing destination city for refugees. When refugees are resettled into their new homes in Nashville, it is essential that they develop their English skills in order to have better employment prospects, communicate within their new environment, and ultimately become self-sufficient. Although there are many wonderful and active ESL classes being offered throughout the city, many refugees who do not have access to a car struggle to attend ESL classes that take place far from their homes. Nashville is a beautiful, spread-out city, thus making it difficult to get around without a car. The ESL to Go classroom will bring classes to the apartment complexes where refugees live, eliminating the barrier to education posed by the lack of transportation.

Is ESL to Go up and running?

The ESL to Go team has partnered up with local resettlement agencies to offer ESL classes out of existing classroom spaces at apartment complexes. From April 2012-November 2012, ESL to Go served 80 students.

In April, 2013, ESL to Go will begin offering additional classes out of our mobile classroom.

Does ESL to Go only offer English classes?

The main goal of ESL to Go is to provide intensive English classes led by certified Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) instructors, but we will also use our mobile classroom to bring various workshops and presentations to our students. Every Friday the truck will be open to agencies who want to serve refugees but don’t have the space to do so. Through these Special Interest Friday Sessions, refugees will have the opportunity to attend health and nutrition workshops, resume writing classes, and have the chance to apply for WIC and SNAP benefit-- just to name a few!

Hey! Stay updated by following the blogspot! And check out our informational presentation and  video!

Our mantra thus far has been "we want it"! After presenting our idea to an overcrowded ESL class, a woman blurted out "WE WANT IT"!