English as a Second Language (ESL) Ministry

Good Samaritan United Methodist Church currently offers one free advanced English language conversation class, every other Wednesday, 1:00-3:00 on Zoom, by a teaching team of Ann, Carolyn, and Dick. To join, please contact the church office by  email: gsumcao@gmail.com  to confirm the first date you would like to attend and to receive an advance email about the coming lesson.  Questions? Phone: 408-253-0751.

Before COVID restrictions, we were offering 3 ESL  classes each week.  Through the years, more than 800 students have participated in our English classes.  This ministry started helping people learn English in the early 1990s as a response to requests from our neighbors. Sadie Furumasu began meeting with one Japanese woman to practice English conversation, and it soon grew to a group of people learning English. By the late 1990s, the Asian population of Cupertino grew to more than 40%.  More neighbors asked us to help them learn English language. In 1999, we organized 3 free ESL classes on Saturday mornings. People were so impressed by the quality of teaching and the care shown by the teachers that this ministry quickly grew to more than 100 students. Through the years, many dedicated teachers have continued the tradition, including professional teachers (active and retired), student teachers (in the ESL field), advanced ESL students helping teach Basic English, and many English-speaking church members who just enjoy working with the students.   

A beginning class for English Language learners will start June 5, 2022, but is already full.   If spaces open up, more details will be posted here.