Spanish as a Second Language Program
The Spanish as a Second Language (SSL) Program is an all-volunteer program that provides Spanish language instruction to adults (ages 18 and up) during three semesters each year: Fall, Spring and Summer. Language instruction is provided at Level 1 only and classes are held at St. Matthew’s Education Center, 1726 N Street, NW. In the three semesters from Fall 2011 to Fall 2012, the SSL Program provided instruction to 39 students from 11 countries. The instruction was provided by 13 volunteers. While the SSL Program seeks to provide Spanish language instruction to persons engaged in serving their brothers and sisters in the Hispanic communities of the Washington, DC metropolitan area, the Program also accepts students who are interested in learning Spanish solely for their personal enrichment.
The following is information regarding the Summer 2013, Fall 2013, and Spring 2014 semesters:
Summer Semester 2013
The 10-week Summer semester will extend from June 4 to August 7. During this period, classes will be held Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Language instruction will be provided at Level 1 only. Students may register, in person, starting June 4, between 6:30 and 8:30 pm, at St. Matthew’s Education Center, 1726 N Street, NW. Student registrations will be accepted until June 18. The cost of the 10-week semester is $50. There will be no classes the week of July 4, Independence Day. For more information, please contact Krista Cox at stmattsssl@gmail.com.
Click here for the Summer Semester 2013 Calendar.
Fall Semester 2013
The 13-week Fall semester will extend from September 17 to December 12. During this period, classes will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Language instruction will be provided at Level 1 only. Students may register, in person, starting Thursday, September 12, between 6:30 and 8:30pm, at St. Matthew’s Education Center, 1726 N Street, NW. The cost of the 13-week semester is $80. There will be no classes the week of November 28, Thanksgiving Day. For more information, please contact Krista Cox at stmattsssl@gmail.com.
Click here for the Fall Semester 2013 Calendar.
Spring Semester 2013
The 13-week Spring semester will extend from January 14 to April 10. During this period, classes will be held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Language instruction will be provided at Level 1 only. Students may register, in person, starting Thursday, January 9, between 6:30 and 8:00pm, at St. Matthew’s Education Center, 1726 N Street, NW. Student registrations will be accepted until February 5. The cost of the 13-week semester is $80. For more information, please contact Krista Cox at stmattsssl@gmail.com.
End of Semester Celebrations
On the last day of each semester, all the students and volunteers of the semester gather in one of the Cathedral’s large conference rooms to celebrate their achievements. During this “End of Semester Celebration”, each student is conferred an official “Certificate of Participation” to acknowledge their participation in the SSL Program. The celebration is a “potluck” event, where each student and volunteer is invited to bring a dish of food, desert, or beverage of their choice to share with their fellow classmates and volunteers. Family members and friends of the semester’s students and volunteers, as well as alumni of the SSL Program (i.e., former students and former volunteers) are welcome to join us for this celebration.
Volunteer Teachers Needed for SSL Program
We are looking for volunteers to serve as teachers one night per week (Tuesday or Wednesday) in the Summer semester of the SSL Program, which will extend from June 4 to August 7. Please see above for more details. There will be no classes the week of July 4 (Independence Day). While volunteers are not required to have formal training in teaching Spanish as a second language, we expect their native language to be Spanish. Also, volunteers are expected to have at least one university degree. Classes will be taught in Spanish only. If you are not comfortable teaching a class on your own, we can pair you with a more experienced teacher. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Krista Cox at stmattsssl@gmail.com.
Important: All Summer semester volunteers (new and returning) will be required to attend the pre-semester “Preparation, Planning and Orientation” meeting on Thursday, May 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. SSL Program meetings are held at St. Matthew’s Education Center, 1726 N Street, NW.
Se solicita maestros voluntarios para el Programa SSL
Estamos buscando voluntarios para servir como maestros una noche por semana (martes o miércoles) durante el semestre de Primavera del Programa SSL que se impartirá del 4 de junio al 7 de agosto. Por favor ver arriba para más detalles. No habrá clases la semana de 4 de julio. No es un requisito que los voluntarios tengan una capacitación formal como maestros de español como segundo idioma, sin embargo esperamos que la lengua materna de los voluntarios sea el español. Se espera asimismo que los voluntarios cuenten como mínimo con un título universitario. Las clases serán impartidas sólo en español. Si usted no se siente a gusto dando la clase por sí solo podemos acomodarlo junto con algún maestro con más experiencia. Si usted está interesado en participar como voluntario por favor póngase en contacto con el Coordinador del Programa SSL en la dirección stmattsssl@gmail.com.
Importante: Se pedirá a todos los voluntarios del semestre de Verano (nuevos o que regresan para continuar sirviendo) que se reúnan como equipo el jueves 30 de mayo, de 6:30 a 8:30 pm. Las reuniones del Programa SSL se llevan a cabo en el St. Matthew’s Education Center (Centro de Educación de San Mateo), que está ubicado en 1726 N Street, NW.
