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ILI

The International Language Institute of Massachusetts (ILI) promotes intercultural understanding and diverse communities by providing high-quality language instruction and teacher training.

You are here: Home / News / Thinking About Human Connectivity

March 8, 2021

Thinking About Human Connectivity

Thinking About Human Connectivity

When our classes were held in-person, I’d hear stories or see pictures of the students’ children. Now that classes are on Zoom, I can actually meet the children and other family members. Sometimes students introduce their kids; other times, the kids pop in or blur past unexpectedly.     

While I ask students to join class from a quiet place, to turn on their videos and unmute themselves, it’s not always possible for them. Understandable. A quiet place when you’re head of the household or living in close quarters can be hard to come by. The students join from their bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and occasionally cars as they get a ride home from work. Plus, it’s hard to be on camera for a two-hour class with families to care for between 6 and 8 pm. One student, who hardly ever turns on her phone camera, had some cooing and babbling in the background recently. When I asked if that was her daughter, she surprised the class by turning on her camera so we could see her seven-month old daughter, who was propped up by pillows against the headboard of a bed. The class swooned over her adorableness. 

Something else I’ve enjoyed about Zoom classes are the sounds from the students’ lives. Parakeets in the background, a tub being drawn for a child’s bath, the sounds of a child practicing the piano, the scraping of utensils on a plate and clinking of glassware, the voices of students talking to their families in Spanish, Swahili, and Russian during break times. 

Students in the class have shown so much perseverance with regard to using technology. They are so helpful to each other by offering support with tech challenges this past year. I can try to show students with screenshots and images how to do something (for example, use chat), but sometimes an explanation from a classmate in the native language is just what the other student needs to figure it out. I am also so grateful for the amazing tech support teams in the students’ homes made up of both young and adult children, wives and husbands. Students are also patient with me, as I try to find new ways to teach a Zoom class in a way that supports their development as beginning level English learners.

Through all these months of remote learning, I’ve moved from missing the actual physical presence of students to learning to appreciate human interactions in a whole new way. Connectivity can thrive beyond the “normal” classroom experience, and that’s a positive lesson, even as we all look forward to meeting again in person.

Laura Robinson is an ESOL instructor for ILI’s Free English Program as well as the Volunteer Tutor Coordinator. 

Article by ILI Staff / News

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A huge thank you to the @rivervalleycoop for award A huge thank you to the @rivervalleycoop for awarding ILI the Austin Miller Co-op Hero Award! We are grateful to be among all the amazing winners of this prestigious award! Receiving  the award is Sonya, a member of ILI’s Board of Directors. Caroline, ILI’s Executive Director and Beth, ILI’s Career and College Advisor.
ILI is thrilled to be a recipient of @rivervalleyc ILI is thrilled to be a recipient of @rivervalleycoop 's Austin Miller Award alongside Riquezas del Campo and The Nolumbeka Project! 

The nonprofit award winners receive $500 each and split the proceeds from food sales at River Valley Co-op's annual Strawberry Ice Cream Social and June Change for Change contributions.

➡️Read more here: https://rivervalley.coop/event-details/strawberry-ice-cream-social-austin-miller-awards?fbclid=IwAR3Uh8pZ0v5jO4jbYLG50xFVNcq5OEKPXj6HOmmU6F8e0toyzhFp6Dokt1A
“Juneteenth has never been a celebration of vict “Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory or an acceptance of the way things are. It’s a celebration of progress. It’s an affirmation that despite the most painful parts of our history, change is possible—and there is still so much work to do.” — Barack Obama

Resources to learn more about Juneteenth:
• https://naacp.org/campaigns/juneteenth
• https://www.history.com/.amp/news/what-is-juneteenth
• https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/06/17/a-proclamation-on-juneteenth-day-of-observance-2022/
After months–or years—of studying online at ho After months–or years—of studying online at home or taking English classes in their home countries, millions of students want a breath of fresh air. 💨

Sunny days, warm weather, cool winds–summertime is a wonderful time to enroll in an Intensive English program. 📚

➡️Check out our recent NEWS Item titled, "Top 7 Reasons to do an Intensive English Program (IEP) in the Summer" here: https://ili.edu/2022/06/08/top-7-reasons-to-do-an-intensive-english-program-iep-in-the-summer/

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For today's #tbt we're reflecting on Paradise City For today's #tbt we're reflecting on Paradise City Arts Festival that happened a few weeks ago! 🎨

Thank you @paradise_city_arts_festivals for designating ILI as the silent auction beneficiary this year. Thank you to the 75+ generous artist for donating their art and thank you to the 20+ volunteers for staffing the table and booth sitting for artists. ✨ What a generous community we live in!

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We are thrilled to be one of three nonprofits that We are thrilled to be one of three nonprofits that are the Change for Change recipients at @rivervalleycoop along with #NolumbekaProject and @riquezasdelcampocoop ✨The three of us will not only receive all Change for Change donations made in June but also the proceeds from this year's Strawberry Ice Cream Social, which returns on June 23rd.

The Nolumbeka Project envisions a Connecticut River Valley where the histories, cultures and persistence of Northeastern Indigenous Peoples are recognized and celebrated, and where all beings coexist in balance and reciprocity.

Riquezas Del Campo is an immigrant-led, worker-owned cooperative farm in Hatfield, MA that began leasing land on the Grow Food Northampton Community Farm in 2021. 

✨Pictured here is Megan, a cashier at RV. Next time you’re shopping, please consider rounding up in support of these nonprofits.

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