Bright Ideas | November 2025
Aprendamos Juntos: Lighting the Way for Family ESL Learning at Finkelstein Library
Although the Finkelstein Memorial Library has long partnered with Literacy Solutions to offer adult ESL classes, a growing concern within our youth services department shed light on a critical service gap: parents with young children, those who couldn’t secure childcare, were effectively excluded. At the same time, local nonprofit partners emphasized the need for free English language support for children and teens. In response, we launched Aprendamos Juntos!, a family-centered ESL initiative made possible by ALSC’s Light the Way Grant.
Aprendamos Juntos (“Let’s Learn Together”) was built on a simple but powerful idea: families should be able to learn English side by side. The program consisted of 15 weeks of structured ESL instruction for parents, children, and teens together, followed by an additional 15 weeks of enrichment sessions including bilingual storytimes, vocabulary games, and teen conversation workshops.
Classes met weekly for two hours and were led by ESL teachers with experience teaching families through our local school district’s Family Resource Center. We purchased an engaging, interactive curriculum from Teachers Pay Teachers, which came complete with handouts, activities, quizzes, and games, everything needed to support dynamic, multigenerational learning.
We assembled colorful supply bins for each family, filled with name tags, stickers, snacks, picture bingo cards, scissors, crayons, markers, handout packets, folders, and bags stocked with library swag. These thoughtful touches helped create a welcoming, well-organized classroom experience.
Promoting the program required intentional outreach. We connected with local community groups and our school district’s Family Resource Center. Within days of opening registration, the class was full. To ensure the program served whole families, not solo adults, we conducted a careful vetting process, calling each registrant to explain the format and confirm eligibility. We registered 60 people in total, 30 for each teacher.
Like any new initiative, Aprendamos Juntos came with its challenges. Coordinating weekly materials, communicating with part-time instructors we rarely saw in person, and navigating winter weather delays all required flexibility. Staff occasionally had to step in to teach when instructors were unavailable. And as the season changed, so did attendance; turnout dwindled by the final weeks of the spring session.
Our summer follow-up sessions led by library staff (less formal vocabulary-building workshops, storytimes, and teen conversation hours) unfortunately saw limited participation. We suspect that without the structure of a formal class or the incentive of a defined endpoint, it was harder for families to commit.
Still, the success of the initial 15-week program was clear. Families who had never stepped foot in the library before were now familiar faces. The grant didn’t just support ESL learning, it helped us build community.
As we reflect on what worked and what didn’t, we’re already planning the next phase of Aprendamos Juntos with the benefit of experience. The Light the Way Grant gave us the freedom to try something bold. It allowed us to reimagine ESL programming, not just as a service for individuals, but as a way to support families, together.—Dianne Aimone, Youth Services Assistant Department Head, Librarian II, Finkelstein Memorial Library, Spring Valley, NY
Photos courtesy of Finkelstein Memorial Library
Editor’s Note: For more information about the ALSC/Candlewick Press “Light the Way” Grant, visit our website. And, many thanks to Candlewick Press for making opportunities like these possible through the "Light the Way" Grant!
Get Inspired with Programming Librarian!
I’m sure many (most?) of you are familiar with ALA’s Programming Librarian (PL) site, right? I don’t even work in a library and love reading about all the fun and fascinating programs featured there--in their programs database and individual article posts! The site is so user-friendly, too. The programs database has a robust search function with lots of filters (library type, audience, budget), so you can find just the right programs to fit your needs.
Since I love this resource, I thought it might be fun and helpful to share program ideas from the PL site here in Bright Ideas from time to time.
As we just had our first snowfall here in the Chicago area, it seems appropriate to share some creative ideas for indoor adventures and projects. Check out these program ideas, just right for a blustery fall or winter day!
Style Your Locker
Audience: Children/Tweens/Young Adult
Budget: about $130
Style and flair meet organization and productivity in this creative program that invites participants to handmake fun, colorful bling that will personalize their school locker and facilitate planning and tidiness. Crafts include items like dry erase calendars, magnets, and magnetic clips. This program would be great for back-to-school time or holiday breaks to promote positive excitement about school.
Tape Town
Audience: Children
Budget: about $150
“Tape Town” turned a public library meeting room into a kid-sized village, complete with masking tape streets and community sites such as a post office and construction site. Participants picked up a driver’s license card and their own toy vehicle from Spiffy Rental Car and headed off to explore the town! This program is adaptable for different spaces and budgets!
For more tried and true ideas from library colleagues, visit the Programming Librarian website.
