GIVING IMMIGRANTS A
VOICE SINCE 1992
THE IMMIGRANT LEARNING CENTER® (ILC) OF MALDEN, MA,
IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT GIVES IMMIGRANTS A VOICE IN THREE WAYS.
THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM
provides free, year-round English classes to immigrant and refugee adults in Greater Boston to help them become successful workers, parents and community members.
THE PUBLIC EDUCATION INSTITUTE
informs Americans about the economic and social contributions of immigrants in our society.
THE INSTITUTE FOR IMMIGRATION RESEARCH
a joint venture with George Mason University, conducts research on the economic contributions of immigrants.
News & Events
The ILC is hiring!
August 22, 2019
SING OUT STRONG: Immigrant Voices + Panel Discussion
After a performance of songs based in part on the lives of The Immigrant Learning Center students, Denzil Mohammed, director of The ILC Public Education Institute, will participate in a panel discussion at WBUR CItySpace.
In the news: Have we forgotten?
In an op ed in the Malden Observer, The ILC Founder and CEO Diane Portnoy reflects on her own childhood experience as a refugee and the plight of today’s displaced people. “Some may look at children in detention facilities at our southern border and think, ‘They’re not our kids.’ I am a proud, naturalized U.S. citizen, and when I see the deplorable conditions we’ve put these children in, I think, ‘that could have been me.’ “
Immigrant Student Success Online Workshop
Resources and recordings from the July 9 and 10 workshop.
June 26, 2019
From our blog: Engage Families to Support Immigrant Students
One of the most important institutions for immigrant integration is K-12 education. Immigrants are assets to our country, and if the children of immigrants have full access to high-quality education, they can become more successful adult community members.
June 11, 2019
From our blog: U.S. risks no longer attracting Nobel-worthy talent
The U.S. attracts science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) scholars and students from around the world. Unfortunately, changes to U.S. immigration policies are making it more difficult for these highly skilled individuals to study and work in the U.S. raising the question: Is the U.S. closing its doors to future Nobel Prize winners?
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What makes us unique?
There is no place on Earth quite like The Immigrant Learning Center. Our well-resourced, award-winning direct services to immigrants and refugees combined with research and education for the American public on immigration issues gives us a truly unique perspective. The ILC is:
Public and Private
We receive 80 percent of our funds from the private sector and only 20 percent from government agencies. This unusually high percentage of private funding gives us the flexibility to innovate and respond rapidly to changing needs.
Intense
We offer English classes five days a week. That’s up to 15 hours a week of instruction, very rare for a free program. This intensive schedule accelerates learning and shortens the time it takes our students to reach their goals.
Published
Our book, Immigrant Struggles, Immigrant Gifts, brings insight to today’s immigration issues by examining the history of 11 different ethnic groups. Now in its second printing, the book is available for sale on Amazon. Don’t forget to start at smile.amazon.com.
Theatrical
The ILC Theater Class offers high-level students a chance to improve their English skills by writing and performing plays about their experiences. This unique approach gives them a boost of confidence and public speaking skills.
Local and National
By helping immigrants to Greater Boston learn English, we help them pursue their dreams, and the impact is felt throughout the region. On a national level, Americans learn about the positive impact of immigrants through The ILC Public Education Institute’s webinars, conference presentations and curated database of Immigration Research and Information, and through the data and research generated by our partnership with the Institute for Immigration Research.
Collaborative
Collaboration is the key to doing more with less. The Public Education Institute’s webinars are presented by experts in a variety of fields from across the country. The English Language Program partners with job placement, training and educational institutions to help our students reach their goals. Both programs offer their expertise to help others in the field give immigrants a voice.
Entrepreneurial
From the Immigrant Entrepreneur Hall of Fame to the annual Immigrant Entrepreneur Awards, The ILC Public Education Institute has amassed compelling evidence of immigrants’ contributions as entrepreneurs, and it’s curated for easy access on our Immigrant Entrepreneurship page.
Customized
The ILC’s Literacy Program gives hope to students who struggle in traditional English classes. Students who have low or no literacy in their native language, or who have related learning challenges, receive individualized attention from teachers and trained volunteers. The Literacy Program serves as a model, and we are frequently asked to share our expertise with other programs throughout the region.
Impact Stories
SADDIQA
Saddiqa left Afghanistan after her husband was killed by the Taliban. After living for a while with her brother in Pakistan, she and her children came to the United States…
ABDONY
On January 12, 2010, Abdony returned to Port au Prince, Haiti, after visiting his wife and daughter in Boston. At 4:53 p.m. that day, a huge earthquake struck Haiti…
MARIA
When Maria’s children became adults living on their own, she decided to start a new life in the U.S…