Language in Action at Buffalo Trails

Program Overview

Language In Action: ELL, a unique English Language Learning program in the greater Nashville area designed to empower adult learners on their journey to success. Our program, tailored for individuals with diverse schedules, acknowledges the challenges posed by jobs, family commitments, and varying educational backgrounds. We run our program in 8 week sessions throughout the year from January through December. We currently offer Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 ELL classes. We address the four components of the language acquisition -- reading, writing, listening and speaking. In addition to ELL classes, Language In Action also provides Adult education through seminars and workshops throughout the year. We provide opportunities for our ELL students during the 2 week break in-between cycles, as well as, on going adult educational opportunities throughout the year at various locations throughout Nashville and surrounding areas.

Cost Info

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

One of our students, a grandmother in the local Congolese community, entered our program this year as a “pure beginner." She grew up in a remote village East Africa with little to no formal education. She joined our class this year and has already made a lot of progress in an 8 week period. Within one session, she was able to write her children's names for the first time. It shows how powerful our adult literacy program can be, even with challenges.

Another student's journey from Burma to America is a testament to resilience and determination. As a refugee, she faced unimaginable challenges. Arriving in the United States, she set her sights on obtaining her high school diploma, despite not having completed traditional schooling in Burma or Malaysia. She joined our English classes in order to better her language skills, develop her ability to speak with her neighbors, understand her sons' homework and hopefully get employed. After a couple years in English classes with us, she was able to become a U.S. citizen this year, and she is continuing her pursuit of her education.

Additionally, two remarkable students who have been integral to our program since 2013 have recently completed it and embarked on their higher education journeys at separate colleges. Notably, both of these dedicated individuals have not only pursued their own academic goals but have also enriched their communities in significant ways. One of the mothers, a driven entrepreneur, owns and operates a thriving sushi business, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit and contributing to the local economy. The other mother, employed by a well-known resettlement agency, extends her compassion and support to fellow refugees and immigrants, reflecting her commitment to humanitarian causes. Additionally, both mothers have taken the initiative to enroll their children in a private education program, emphasizing the importance they place on education and fostering a brighter future for their families.