Frances volunteers with adult ESL students at the Adult Learning Center in Charlottesville City. She is a 4th year Political Philosophy, Policy, and Law Major who has studied abroad in Lima, Peru and Valencia, Spain and also volunteers with Hoos Against Hunger and Homelessness.

From my study abroad experience, I know exactly what it feels like to live in a place where you aren't fluent in the language: you have to translate information coming in and going out of your brain, and it's incredibly tiring and frustrating! So helping others grapple with the same problems I experienced and win the same small victories is enormously satisfying. I get to say to students, "I know how hard this is! I know you can do it!" I love that.

The students are so eager to learn! This makes each session both fun and rewarding. (I know this all sounds very brochure-like, but I'm not sure how else to put it!) I always walk away with the feeling that I just helped someone achieve something s/he could not have achieved on his or her own. The best part is, I already had all the tools I needed: fluency in English and a couple of free hours every week. So I felt that sense of efficacy from day one. But again, ESL students really are some of the most dedicated, enthusiastic folks I have ever met; they keep me coming back week after week.

The most noticeable effect is improved pronunciation, plus the proper use of seemingly trivial things like articles and pronouns. It's the little things that will make a huge difference when students go out into the world and attempt to command the respect of native English-speakers. In general, the students in my class just seem more natural speaking English, and that gives them greater confidence.

All the ESL students I've met are incredibly smart and talented: they have a lot to offer us. The more English they know, the more they can integrate into the community and contribute their energies to it. I get to play an important role in this process. And in general, I've met some really interesting people at the Adult Learning Center whom I wouldn't have encountered within the realm of UVA. The ALC is a Charlottesville institution aimed at helping Charlottesville residents, so I feel like I am taking part in the life of the city, rather than losing myself completely in the university bubble.