Linda - Neighbourhood EAL Program (Downtown YMCA - YWCA)

The Downtown YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg offers a neighbourhood EAL program for newcomer women with Young Children. Linda Postma, a graduate of the Fall 2010 ESL TCP is their instructor.

After graduating from the ESL TCP, Linda began volunteering at the YMCA-YWCA in this community-based program. After volunteering for several terms, Linda secured a part-time position teaching in this program.

She shares that the resources provided during the ESL TCP have been helpful in securing, and performing the tasks associated with this position. She says that "I feel more confident in teaching because of the program."

Of teaching in general, Linda shares the following:

"Teaching EAL is great fun. I find the women I work with generally highly motivated. I find the instructors care a lot about their students and they have great energy."

Based on her experiences since graduation, she advises others that full-time work is hard to find. However, volunteering is a good way to get your foot in the door and find part-time work.

If you want to learn more about the Downtown YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg's neighbourhood EAL program for newcomer women with young children, or if you are interested in volunteering there, please visit their website at http://www.ymcaywca-eal.ca/