English Language Learning

English Language Students

Free English language tutoring and conversation classes for adults who live or work in Needham.

Info for Students

English Language Tutors

Volunteer tutors help students who are new to English: an enriching and satisfying experience.

Info for Tutors

Current Events

Events for our ELL Students and Tutors to enrich their learning.

Current ELL Events

English Language Students

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Student Info

Who Can Participate in the Program?

Adults who live or work in Needham are welcome.
Complete the “Sign Up Here” above. We will contact you to match you with a tutor.
There is no cost – all tutoring is FREE
All levels of learners are welcome!

How Long do Students Meet with a Tutor?

We ask that students meet at least an hour weekly for at least nine months.
Of course you and your tutor can take vacations.

When and Where do Students and Tutors Meet?

Students meet weekly with tutors in the morning, afternoon, evening, or on weekends for about an hour.
Both in person and on Zoom
Space is available at Needham Community Council either outdoors or in the building
At the Needham Free Library

Additional Student Resources

Try these on-line resources: ELL Student Resources

Helpful local community resources: ELL Focused Community Resources

Contact Info

Please email the ELL Program Manager, Julie Tovar, at

jtovar@needhamcouncil.org

Learning Opportunities

Class Basics

All Classes listed below are held at the Needham Community Council unless otherwise noted.

To join a class, please complete a sign up and select group classes. Our program manager, Julie Tovar, will be in touch to help you find the a class that is perfect for you.

Class sign up here

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If you have any questions, please contact Julie Tovar at jtovar@needhamcouncil.org or 781-444-2415.

Beginner Level Classes

Monday Morning Beginners
Mondays 9:30-10:30 am
Volunteer Leader: Susan Kams
Small group for beginners. Practice conversation and
learn about US culture. Registration required.

If you have any questions, please contact Julie Tovar at jtovar@needhamcouncil.org or 781-444-2415.

Advanced Beginner - Intermediate Level Classes

Tuesday Night Conversation–ONLINE
Tues 7:30-8:30 pm on ZOOM.
Volunteer Leader: Deborah Lashley
Drop in for informal English practice! Registration required.

If you have any questions, please contact Julie Tovar at jtovar@needhamcouncil.org or 781-444-2415.

Intermediate - Advanced Level Classes

Saturday Intermediate Citizenship
Saturdays 9:30-10:30.
Volunteer Leader: Charnay Kirsch
Intermediate level learners can practice English conversation and prepare for the
US Citizenship interview and test. Registration required.

Intermediate Conversation
Tuesdays 1-2 pm.
Volunteer Leader: Jan Cohen
Discuss current events and read short news articles. Registration required.

American Literature and Current Events
Weds 11 am – noon
Volunteer Leader: Rick Perras
This group will discuss current events and read and discuss
Hemingway’s “Old Man and the Sea.” Registration required.

Friday Intermediate Group
Fridays 10:30 am at Needham Community Council
Volunteer Leader: Beverly Schwartz
Join us to practice vocabulary and conversation. Registration required.

If you have any questions, please contact Julie Tovar at jtovar@needhamcouncil.org or 781-444-2415.

Contact Info

Please email the ELL Program Manager, Julie Tovar, at

jtovar@needhamcouncil.org or call 781-444-2415 for more information.

English Language Tutors

Tutor Interest Form

Tutor Info

How do I Become a Tutor?

Twice a year, Spring and Fall, we run a tutor training program for new tutors.
If you are interested and over 18, we encourage you to fill out the Tutor Interest Form to begin the process.
We will contact you to discuss the available opportunities
Tutors are required to complete training classes which take place over several evenings.
A CORI form is required.

What Makes an Effective Tutor?

Tutors DO NOT need to know the language of their student or have teaching experience.

Being flexible, welcoming, and open to other cultures is essential.
The training workshop provides a variety of techniques for teaching without the need for translation.
A good ELL tutor can speak English fluently, articulate clearly, and is familiar with American culture.
We support tutors with resources and training.

Different Tutor Opportunities

Individual Tutoring
Group Lessons
Conversation Groups
On-line or In person meetings
Special Events – field trips, cooking classes, knitting group

What’s the Time Commitment?

We ask that tutors and students participate for at least 9 months, meeting once a week.
Most meetings last for 1 to 1.5 hours.

When and Where do Students and Tutors Meet?

Students meet weekly with tutors in the morning, afternoon, evening, or on weekends for about an hour.
Both in person and on Zoom
Many students prefer to meet virtually
Space is available at Needham Community Council either outdoors or in the building
At the Needham Free Library

What do English Language Learners Want to Learn?

Most learners want to improve their listening comprehension and speaking skills to communicate better with co-workers, neighbors, school and medical personnel, on the phone, etc.
Many need to read and write better for everyday life or employment.
Many students want to become more familiar with American culture.
Some have a specific goal in mind, such as getting a job, a driver’s license, or a GED, becoming a U.S. citizen, or passing a college entrance test.

Other Resources

Websites Resources for Tutors

There are a number of on-line resources we recommend for tutors of all levels of students.

On-Line Resources for Tutors

Current ELL Events

Event Information

Fall Walk & Talks are Back in November!

Join other learners and tutors for a casual Walk & Talk around the Reservoir trail.

Tutors, learners, and community members can join in this fun activity to get some fresh air and practice their English. These walks are led by dedicated ELL volunteer, Beth Crastnopol. All levels welcome.

Thursday November 16 & 30
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Reservoir Trail, 500 Dedham Ave., Needham

If you have any questions, please contact Julie Tovar at 781-444-2415 or jtovar@needhamcouncil.org.

Current Hours

Office/Phones:
Monday - Friday	8:30 am – 4:00 pm


Thrift Donation Site:
Monday	10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tuesday & Thursday	10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday	10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday	10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Thrift Shop:
Monday	10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tuesday & Thursday	10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday	10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday	10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Food Pantry:

Accepting new customers and current customers by reservation only. Please call 781-444-2415 for details.

Council offices and all programs are closed on most major holidays. We follow the Needham Public School weather closings

Thanksgiving Dinners

All active Food Pantry customers may choose from two different options for Thanksgiving Dinners:

Have a fully cooked Thanksgiving dinner delivered to your home on Wednesday, November 22nd (limit of 3 meals per household). We have a limited number of meals. To reserve your meal, please call the Council at 781-444-2415; or
Larger families or those who want to cook, may pick up all the ingredients needed to cook a Thanksgiving meal yourself. This option will not include a turkey, but you will be given a gift card so you can purchase a turkey. Please sign up for a day and time to pick up your food using the link below. We will be asking for proof of residency at time of pick up. Sign up here.

Proof of Residency

To participate in the Holiday support from the Council this year, we will be requiring proof of residency. You will need to show one of the following documents to prove that you reside in Needham:

Valid driver’s license or Mass ID
Utility bill with your name and address
Copy of your lease agreement
The letter you should have received in October

Gloria-Kwei

Gloria came to the United States as a foreign student from Taiwan. She enrolled in UC Berkeley, and upon earning her PhD, started a 30+ year career with Pharma companies Merck and Novartis, and had moved with these companies to several states before settling in Needham in 2004.

Over the years Gloria volunteered with many community organizations. Gloria is especially interested in nutrition education, and mentoring young scientists through their careers. She is an aspiring gardener/farmer, and when not consulting or teaching, spends time at the Needham community farm. She thoroughly enjoyed a recent role as an English Language Learning tutor at Needham Community Council and looks forward to working with the Council to give back to the community.

Kalindi-Kango

Kalindi has masters degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India. She initially began her career at Computer Vision in Burlington, MA and later worked as a software consultant for Fortune 500 companies like Johnson and Johnson and Pfizer. Kalindi has lived in Florida, New Jersey, California and returned back to Massachusetts. She and her husband with two daughters moved here in Needham in 2015 and quickly found strong ties to the Needham Community. Both her daughters graduated from Needham High School and continued to pursue higher professional education.

Over the years Kalindi has volunteered her time at various non-profits including Saheli - a non-profit for battered women from south Asian and middle eastern community, as a treasurer for Pony Club of Northern California, and librarian at Bridgewater-NJ Elementary School. Most recently, during Covid-19 crisis, she participated in Boston Area Mask Initiative, a movement that provided over 60000 masks to underserved population by sewing them at her Needham residence. She contributed to local groups within Needham-Wellesley area in sewing and distributing surgical caps and masks for healthcare workers at local hospitals. Prior to being on the Council Board, Kalindi worked as a volunteer at the council to streamline recording of volunteer hours and medical equipment loaning records. She looks forward to working with the council in coming years and helping achieve the Council goals and support the Needham community.

Susan Mitchell

Susan is a geriatrician and health services researcher at the Hebrew SeniorLife Marcus Institute for Aging Research and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Susan is originally from Montreal. She is a graduate of the University of Ottawa medical school and has a Master’s of Public Health from Harvard University. Her career has largely focused on conducting research to improve the quality of life of older persons with serious illness, particularly dementia.

She moved to the Needham from Canada in 2000. She lives with her partner, has two step-children, and enjoys hiking with her beloved labradoodle through the Town Forest. Susan loves living in Needham and looks forward to contributing to the community.

David-Carter

David is a Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Fidelity Investments providing legal counsel to the firm’s asset management and operations businesses. David specializes in mutual fund corporate governance matters, including substantial involvement with mutual fund boards of directors, as well as SEC rulemaking processes.

David has held a variety of roles in Fidelity’s legal department since joining Fidelity in 2005. From 2010 to 2014, David led a team of lawyers and project managers who coordinated Fidelity’s response to rulemaking following the financial crisis. Prior to joining Fidelity, David spent five years as associate at Ropes & Gray, where he worked on a broad range of corporate and securities law matters.

David received his A.B. in Economics from the University of Michigan and his JD from Harvard Law School. He has lived in Needham since 2008 with his wife and their two sons

Joyce McCafferty

Joyce cannot believe she has lived in Needham for 10 years. It still seems like yesterday when the McCafferty family moved into town. Despite not having friends nor family here, the family has forged strong bonds of friendship with neighbors within this welcoming community and are proud to call Needham home.

Armed with a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Joyce’s career began in pharmaceuticals. Stay at home parenting temporarily interrupted her career trajectory. However, this detour pales in comparison with her current pursuit of a new career in healthcare as an EMT and ski patroller.

Previously active in ParentTalk, Joyce is excited at the opportunity to serve the larger community of Needham.

Andrea Wasserman

Andrea B. Wasserman is an innovative leader, effective strategist, and philanthropy expert. She consistently inspires clients to exceed their fundraising goals by focusing on smart development strategies and unleashing the right talent.

As Founder and President of the boutique organizational development firm ABW Partners (formerly Social Profit Ventures), Andrea has partnered with nearly 50 clients on customized engagements around the design and execution of exceptional advancement and fundraising programs. Andrea also delivers an expansive array of fundraising coaching, proficiency building, and learning opportunities from the c-suite and board level to development departments and cross-organization teams.

Before launching her firm in 2012, Andrea was the catalyst behind fundraising at various high-performing local, national, and international nonprofits. Charged with the responsibility of driving comprehensive and sustainable financial resource development, Andrea assumed pivotal roles at UJA Federation of New York, Wall Street Division; United Jewish Communities (first as the Director of National Young Leadership Cabinet and then Director of National Women’s Constituency); Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School; and BBYO International.

In concert with dynamic colleagues and stakeholders at these and other organizations, Andrea has successfully built cultures, systems, teams, and strategies that have yielded tens of millions of philanthropic dollars to foster vibrant communities worldwide.

Passionate about her family, friends, and community, Andrea resides in Needham with her husband Adam, son Zachary, and labradoodle Tucker. The Wassermans are members of Temple Beth Shalom in Needham.

Mary Richman

Mary, her husband Jeff and three kids (Noa, Patrick and Evie) have lived in Needham since they moved here from DC in 2007.

Mary graduated from the University of Virginia where she studied Finance and Marketing. She now works as a part-time consultant, providing marketing and financial analysis services for a few local companies.

Mary became involved in the Needham Community through her work at Parent Talk, first as their Fundraising Chair and then as a Co-President for 2 years.

Prior to being on the Council Board, Mary was familiar with the Council through her volunteer work as PTC Co-President at the Mitchell School.

Alrie McNiff Daniels

Alrie has more than two decades of nonprofit experience. Currently director of communications and stakeholder engagement at Point32Health Foundation, she previously worked at FSG, a mission-driven consulting firm; the American Cancer Society; and as a strategic communications consultant. A certified Reframing Aging facilitator, Alrie works locally, regionally and nationally to help organizations communicate more effectively on aging, ageism and issues important to older people.

Alrie's community and volunteer service includes fundraising for established nonprofit organizations, board roles on neighborhood associations, pro bono support for emerging nonprofits and numerous roles at her children’s schools. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Library Foundation of Needham.

A native New Yorker, Alrie lived in Washington, DC; Alameda, CA; Chapel Hill, NC; Natick, MA; and Falls Church, VA, during her husband’s Coast Guard career. They moved to Needham in 2003.

Jonathan Kappel

Jonathan is the Executive Director of Principal Gifts for Clark University.

Previous to working at Clark, Jonathan worked as a fundraising professional at the Anti-Defamation League, American Jewish Committee and Clark University where he has returned after 10 years. Jonathan received the Senn-Greenberg award for excellence in staff leadership from the Anti-Defamation League.

Jonathan and his wife, Carol, co-created the Ultimate Pink Drink fundraiser benefiting breast cancer research. He is also a past board member of the Needham Educational Foundation (NEF).

Lynn-Gotwals

Lynn Gotwals has been a Needham resident for 23 years. She and her husband raised their two daughters here.

Lynn is a teacher at the Mitchell School in Needham. Previously, she worked in project management for several nonprofit and for-profit organizations.

Lynn's previous volunteer work includes serving on the boards of the Needham Education Foundation, Needham Steps Up and the Outreach Committee at the Congregational Church of Needham. She began working with the Community Council as a Team Captain for the Ride for Food, an annual ride to benefit food pantries in the area.

Lynn has a B.A. from Smith College and a M.Ed. from Lesley University.

Linda Farley

Vice President

Linda grew up in Needham; in 2000, she and her husband, Brian returned to Needham.

Linda has been active in Needham organizations including Newcomers, Parent Talk, and Needham Pool & Racquet Club. She’s also been involved in various school and youth sports activities through her 3 children who graduated from Needham High School.

Linda has been an HR professional for 30+ years including roles in high tech, consulting and healthcare; in 2018 Linda joined Needham Bank to lead its HR and Learning and Development team.

In addition to volunteering on the Board of the Needham Community Council, Linda serves on the Board of the Greater New England/National Multiple Sclerosis Society and participates on the Bike MS-Ride the Vineyard Committee and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee.

Diane DerMarderosian

Diane was born and raised in Needham.

Diane graduated from Amherst College and then attended the Mount Sinai School of Medicine where she was selected to be part of the Humanities and Medicine Program. She completed her residency training in pediatrics at Brown University where she is the Pediatric Director of the Hasbro Partial Hospital Program, an integrated, family-based day program for children with complex medical and psychological issues. She is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

Previously, Diane served as the Medical Director of the Hasbro Children’s Hospital Eating Disorders Program and worked for many years as a primary care pediatrician at a health center in Roxbury.

Diane serves on the Patient and Family Centered Care Steering Committee at Hasbro, the Medical Advisory Board for Reach Out and Read RI, and the Patient and Family Centered Care Advisory Council at BID-Needham.

Diane lives in Needham with her husband, Peter, and sons PJ and Armen.

John Frantz

Treasurer

Currently retired, John was previously employed by The Boston Consulting Group. There he provided consulting services to major corporations, held a senior internal financial management position, and led an Investment Committee with oversight responsibility for the firm's U.S. retirement plans.

2022 marks John's seventh year on the Needham Community Council Board. He is also on the Board of the Charles River School, a preK-8 school in Dover, and New England Justice for Our Neighbors, a non-profit that welcomes and supports immigrants. He is active in service and outreach activities with Carter Memorial United Methodist Church in Needham, and serves as the chair of the church's endowment team, which oversees the church's endowment funds.

Kathleen Berner

Secretary

Kathleen is currently the Marketing Lead for Accenture in Boston & Hartford — a role she has held since May 2019.

Previously, Kathleen was the Senior Director of Services Marketing at Staples. She joined Staples in 2010 and held various leadership roles in marketing–driving stores, staples.com and salesforce performance. Prior to Staples, Kathleen started an in-house agency; managed customer service; and implemented an email program for the Upromise College Savings and Loyalty program. She also supported clients at Digitas in the online education, automotive and wireless industries.

Kathleen and her husband live in Needham with their three children. She has volunteered at The Council since 2016 as co-chair of the Annual Holiday Boutique.

In 2010, Kathleen managed fundraising for City of Hope’s Spirit of Life nominee. She currently serves on several committees for the Needham High School PTC and serves on the board of advisors at Research Institute for Learning & Development in Lexington.

Kathleen is a graduate of Tufts University and holds a master’s degree from the Boston College Carroll School of Management.

Lynn Alberding

President

Lynn joined the Board of the Needham Community Council in 2015. Prior to joining the Board, Lynn participated in the Council’s English Language Learners tutor training program and volunteered as a tutor with that program for several years. She worked as a one-on-one tutor, a leader of group classes, and as a program administrator. Lynn developed and taught several literature-based classes for Advanced English learners as well as a Beginners English class for Russian speakers, and formalized a process for matching students and tutors that resulted in hundreds of successful partnerships.

Lynn is the Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving at William James College in Newton, MA. Prior to joining William James College, Lynn was the Director of Development at Wondermore, Inc., also in Newton, MA.

Lynn and her husband, Peter, raised three children who attended Needham Public Schools. From 2010 - 2020, Lynn was active volunteer in the Needham Public Schools, most notably with the Mitchell and Pollard PTCs and with the Needham High School Athletic Boosters and the Friends of Music.

Lynn holds a B.A. in Economics from Wesleyan University, and an M.S. in Accounting and an MBA from Northeastern University.

Robert Dermody

Past President

Robert J. Dermody was born and raised in Needham, MA. After graduating from Needham High School, he attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Robert then pursued a Master of Architecture degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.

Robert is very active in the Needham community as a Town Meeting Member, and with the Exchange Club. He also serves on the Design Review Board, and Community Preservation Committee.

Robert is a Professor of Architecture at Roger Williams University in Bristol Rhode Island, and is a licensed architect in Massachusetts. I

n his spare time, Bob is a volunteer docent with Boston By Foot, and a BayWatcher for the Coalition for Buzzards Bay. His grandmother, Frances K. Dermody, was the first Executive Director of the Needham Community Council, a position she held for 25 years.

Community Volunteer Resources

We are in the process of creating a community wide volunteer resource guide that will allow you and your family to find opportunities to help in Needham. Please check back again soon.