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Starting your career over in a new country with different requirements, customs, and vocabularies can be an intimidating endeavor. That’s why Global Talent brings together New American job seekers and local business professionals for a day of networking and interview practice. Global Talent’s most recent Career Summit took place March 17 at the College of Western Idaho in Boise, sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co. Two dozen Idaho business professionals came together to network with and coach 10 Global Talent job seekers from countries including Mexico, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Turkey, and Columbia. Job seekers went through multiple rounds of practice interviews for a hypothetical job in their field, whether that be education or management, engineering, or filmmaking. “It’s a really important and heartfelt mission. I’m glad to be a part of this, and acknowledging all the courage it takes to put yourself on the line interviewing.” Thank you to every volunteer and job seeker for putting yourselves out there! These connections and times of growth are so important, both for the job seekers and for the Idaho communities who will benefit from the skills and experience they bring.
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 Teachers from the English Language Center in Boise will present in Portland this month at the TESOL 2023 International Convention & English Language Expo, the largest professional development event of its kind. The staff will share their success in using WhatsApp to virtually teach students, many of whom don't have easy access to Wi-Fi, computers or transportation. The English Language Center serves adults coming to Boise through refugee resettlement, and access to a computer or a vehicle is often a challenge. WhatsApp, a free and widely used smartphone messaging app, has proved to be a valuable tool even now that classes have switched to a hybrid model. “Many of our students didn’t even have a smartphone or own their own cellphone at all before they came here,” said ELC Curriculum Coordinator Devon Jancin. “So the lack of technology access is a huge problem with online learning, and our presentation is giving direct solutions for how to bridge that gap.” Students have given positive feedback, too. “WhatsApp helps me learn English online because it’s good for listening," ELC student Abdul said. "I can repeat again and again.” CONNECTWill you be at the TESOL Conference? Come say hi and check out the English Language Center’s presentation!
 The English Language Center, a program of the Idaho Office of Refugees in Boise, is pleased to welcome two new teachers, Lila Lake and Rylee Godfrey! Lila Lake earned a bachelor’s degree in English at Boise State University in 2015 and has been working with students ever since. She spent eight years as a high school English teacher in the Treasure Valley and has taught everything from creative writing to a business writing workshop. Her favorite thing about teaching being part of a community of learners and watching her students’ confidence grow! She couldn’t be more thrilled to join the English Language Center to continue her teaching journey. When she isn’t teaching, Lila can be found hiking in the foothills, learning how to sew her own clothes, and traveling.  Rylee Godfrey found her passion in teaching and working with refugees at Boise State University where she received her bachelor's in English, emphasis in Linguistics. She started as a service-learning volunteer in Project SHINE (Students Helping in the Naturalization of Elders) and went on to get her TESOL certificate. Rylee then continued work at BSU in Project SHINE as well as working as a Research Assistant, evaluating and assisting in the development of English Language/job-related programs. Rylee is semi-fluent in American Sign Language and finds a home in a classroom full of students from all over the world. She is ecstatic to continue her academic career as an ESL teacher at the English Language Center. In her free time, you will find her reading a book, listening to music or exploring the mountains with her three dogs.
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Archives
November 2023
Author: Holly BeechIdaho Office for Refugees Communications Manager 
Thank you to the generous organizations who
support our outreach: 
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Idaho Office for refugees |
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