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ESU Immigrant Support Embarks on New Season

National News

The dawn of the new year, 2019, saw the resumption of two of the English-Speaking Union's most icon programs: the English in Action (EiA) and the Andrew Romay New Immigrant Center (ARNIC). To mark the occasion, the ESU held a special kickoff lunch on January 9 at the English-Speaking Union house to welcome new and returning program members and program instructor. ESU Executive Director Karen Karpowich spoke briefly applauding all the program participants for their initiative, counseling them not to fear making mistakes as they master the English language. Program manager Rona Weitz made brief remarks, introducing program and ESU staff.

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Randy Cohen's Person, Place, Thing Podcast with Peter Gilliver, TLab Lecturer at Oxford

National News

The new podcast hosted at The English-Speaking Union is now available.

TLab presented Peter Gilliver, the legendary Oxford English Dictionary lexicographer — and instructor in the TLab Programs — at a live presentation of Randy Cohen's Person, Place and Thing at The English-Speaking Union in New York. Gilliver shared behind-the-scenes insights at the Oxford English Dictionary. "It's the short words that are the hardest," he told the ESU audience. Love? Death? No. Shorter. Run and go. "I worked on the verb to run and it took me nine months, and one of my colleagues spent over a year on the verb to go." Host Randy Cohen is best known as the original ethicist columnist The New York Times.

Download the podcast at the iTunes store or Listen here.

Join us for another TLab lecture by Shakespeare Birthplace Trust expert Darren Freebury-Jones on Monday, January 28 in NYC. Reserve now.

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New Year's Message from The Chairman

National News

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the English Speaking Union of the United States it is my pleasure to extend hearty New Year's and holiday greetings to all of our members, and to all those who support the mission and the objectives of the ESU. 

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Happy Holidays

National News

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Happy Thanksgiving from the ESU!

National News – Thursday, November 15th, 2018 at ESU Headquarters

On Thursday, November 15th, past and present members of the Andrew Romay New Immigrant Center (ARNIC) gathered for the sixth-annual Thanksgiving celebration at the ESU. This evening is the highlight of the year for ARNIC members, many of whom are celebrating their first Thanksgiving in the United States.

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ESU Statement on the Tragedy in Pittsburgh

National News

At this time of great sadness in the wake of the hate killings in Pittsburgh, the English-Speaking Union joins the nation in mourning. We stand with our partner HIAS, targeted during this tragedy for their role in resettling refugees. We support all of our partners who are committed to the American ideal of welcoming those in need, including refugees and asylum seekers. As we approach the one hundredth anniversary of our organization dedicated to global understanding, our mission is now more important than ever.  

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TLab Scholars head to the UK on professional development scholarships

National News – July 11, 2018

This summer, TLab is sending teachers from throughout the country to study at some of the world's finest institutions of higher learning. Why? To enrich the education of teachers so that they, in turn, can share their enhanced knowledge and experiences with their students.

The ESU has always valued teachers and education. Since 1957, we've sent thousands of teachers abroad each summer to enroll in professional development courses at the University of Edinburgh, The University of Oxford and Shakespeare's Globe.

2018 TLab Scholars

• 23 ESU branches providing scholarships
• 39 scholarships awarded to teachers
• 66 teachers studying in the UK
• 1,000+ students impacted each year by TLab
• $200,000 raised by ESU branches for TLab scholarships

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June is Immigrant Heritage Month!

National News – June 2018

English in Action and the Andrew Romay New Immigrant Center (ARNIC) stand with asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants. Immigrant Heritage Month is a chance for us to celebrate immigrants and the contributions they make to American society. 

Since 2013, ARNIC has served more than 1,000 asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants from over 60 countries. Through English language classes, professional development workshops and cultural events, ARNIC helps immigrants become active and engaged members of American society. Within a safe and welcoming environment ARNIC members improve their English, explore work and study opportunities, network, pursue citizenship and acquire cultural fluency as they build their new lives in the U.S.

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Congratulations ARNIC Class of 2018

National News – May 31, 2018, The Fourth Universalist Society of New York

Graduation is a memorable moment for all students, but for the 166 graduates from the Andrew Romay New Immigrant Center (ARNIC) on May 31, this achievement was especially significant. ARNIC graduates are unique in that they are all new immigrants who attended a free, yearlong scholarship program through English in Action. 

On May 31, 2018 ARNIC hosted a graduation ceremony for students, teachers, supporters and elected officials at Fourth Universalist Society in New York. Following the ceremony, a benefit dinner supporting ARNIC raised more than $76,000 through the generosity of a matching challenge grant from the Marietta and Andrew Romay Foundation.

Thanks to the ARNIC program, I have gained confidence and experience. Those keys I know will open doors to professional opportunities for me. As an immigrant, as a mother, as a woman in my 40s, as an asylum seeker—believe me, there are a lot of challenges I face, but that won't stop me from doing what I have to do today for me and my community. Niurka Melendez-Vasquez, ARNIC Graduate

Click to see photos from the ARNIC Graduation.

Click to watch the graduation ceremony, speeches and panel discussion.

Click to download a copy of the ARNIC Graduation program.

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Ali Cohen from Arizona competed in the IPSC Grand Final round in London

National News – May 18, 2018, Dartmouth House, ESU Commonwealth, London

"The only difference between these two girls--in fact, the only difference between girls like myself and the 60 million uneducated girls around the world is chance."

These words were spoken today in London by Chandler Arizona high school junior Ali Cohen as part of her speech, Many Worlds Apart at the Grand Final of the ESU International Public Speaking Competition at Dartmouth House today.

Ali (third from right in the front row) used her platform to urge those who have power and influence to be a conduit for the story of uneducated girls around the world as they fight for education, opportunity and equality. 

Watch the IPSC Grand Finals on Facebook. 
(Ali Cohen's speech is at 1:21:00)

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