Riverside Language Program

School Background

The Riverside Language Program was started by Phyllis Berman, Leslie Robbins and other teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in 1979. We were committed to creating a model program that served the needs of the prospective students first and foremost.

The school's site, on 120th Street and Riverside Drive in Manhattan, was deliberately chosen so that the school would not be in a neighborhood associated with only one ethnic group. Our classes reflect an international community bound in their quest to master the English language, and we aim to achieve a balance of language groups in our school. Over the years, we have served over 28,000 new-comers to New York City, and our alumni have gone on to become active participants in every aspect of American society.

Mission Statement

The Riverside Language Program's mission is to provide English language classes for immigrants from around the world and to assist them in learning about American culture. Within this context, we train and develop "master" teachers. Finally, we advocate for the students we work with and the profession to which we belong.

Classes

  • Taught by professional ESOL teachers.
  • Meet 5 days a week, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm.
  • Six week sessions.
  • Focus on speaking and listening skills.
  • Emphasis in class on using language rather than theoretical knowledge.
  • Students from all over the world.
  • Approximately 25 students in each class.
  • Four levels of classes: beginning to high intermediate.

    • After their six-week class, students can take another class, but continuation is not automatic. Continuation depends upon several factors, including the students' level of English proficiency and teachers' assessment of student progress. Diplomas are awarded after each class.

    Teachers

  • Professionals with a Master's degree in TESOL.
  • A minimum of 5 years of experience teaching adults.
  • Demonstrated excellence in classroom teaching.
  • Expertise in a variety of teaching methodologies.
  • Committed to student-centered, humanistic teaching.

    • We are constantly evaluating both our classes and program to determine whether we have successfully met the needs of our students and our founders. We look at students' attendance, their progress in English, and what they do after they complete our classes to see whether we have adequately prepared them for what they want to do next.