WORKING WITH VOLUNTEERS TO OFFER ENGLISH LESSONS IN PARIS
English Pour Tout Le Monde is an association based in Paris offering English learning opportunities to people in precarious situations that do not have the means to pay for traditional English lessons. The aim is to support economic empowerment, promote community and achieve a more equal society through education.
With the help of our volunteers, we provide group English sessions to both adults and children. We work in partnership with other associations who assist refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and people experiencing difficulties.
WHO WE ARE
Our Story
English Pour Tout Le Monde is based on the belief that everyone (tout le monde) everywhere, no matter their circumstances in life should have access to education.
Our team met and started EPTLM when volunteering with another association in Paris. After being asked frequently about English learning opportunities, we decided to start a trial and in Spring 2019, started informal English lessons in a park. With the help of our volunteers, we were running sessions twice weekly after serving breakfast to displaced and unhoused people with our partner P’tit Dej Solidaires in the 19th arrondissement.
From there, we were able to grow our sessions and also move them inside with support from other partners in the 19th arrondissement. In August 2020, EPTLM was accepted onto the SINGA incubation programme which allowed us to continue grow and to open up our sessions, reaching more participants and our wonderful volunteer team.
Currently, we are housed within Projets 19 in the 19th arrondissement and are running multiple sessions per week across Paris for lots of different audiences.
MEET THE TEAM
KATIE OGILVIE
Co-founder & President
In 2016, Katie moved to Paris and has since tutored English and worked for an NGO running a volunteer food distribution programme.
Whilst working in the NGO sector in Paris she continually met able and inspiring individuals on the streets who wanted to practice and improve their English language skills, but didn’t have the opportunity to do so. With this in mind, she along with the other co-founders decided to create English Pour Tout Le Monde.
She now together with her team, coordinates the growth and day to day activities of English Pour Tout Le Monde.
Katie loves to read, hike and travel to learn about new cultures.
Katie believes that there is hope for a positive future for ALL, and intends that English Pour Tout Le Monde will be part of that future.
KATHRYN CHALMERS
Co-founder & Coordinator
Originally from the UK, Kathryn moved to Paris in 2012. As she integrated into the city, she really wanted to do more, especially within displaced communities having seen the conditions in the camps that were all around the north of Paris.
As a result, she started to volunteer with some food distribution charities. She really valued the interactions with the people she was meeting but also wanted to find a way to develop this further. During these distributions, she met Katie, and from there joined the group of co-founders of EPTLM, starting the first English classes in a park to developing the association to where it is today.
Kathryn really believes in the importance of taking time to exchange with people and that even where a common language is limited, important connections and community can be made. She loves to see people grow in confidence and create friendships because of EPTLM.
Outside of the association, Kathryn continues to work with food distribution charities and she also enjoys reading, music and Pilates.
JOLIE TRAN
Treasurer
I've been volunteering with EPTLM for over a year, working with children at La Maison des Réfugiés on Saturdays. The experience has brought me a lot of joy, so I'm incredibly happy to now be able to join as a Treasurer.
In my week-day life, I work as a Financial Analyst. Before coming to Paris 3 years ago to do my Master's, I lived in the UK, the US, and Vietnam.
I often contemplate which ice cream flavors to get, so it's no surprise that I spend much of my time staring at the ice cream section in the supermarché.
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DAVE DENGAH
Educational Manager
Currently working full time as a trainer in a training organisation in France, Dave has always thought that English helps connect people and open ‘doors’. After having worked for eight years in an international school in Jakarta, Indonesia, he joined English Pour Tout Le Monde as an English teacher in January 2023. This is because teaching and learning have always been Dave’s passion and he firmly believes everyone deserves an opportunity to learn and grow.
Much influenced by his Cambridge and TESOL teaching certifications, his teaching approaches inclined toward the learner-centred approach. He loves the idea of 'Active Learning'. He is convinced pupils should be the ‘main actors’ in class. Learning should revolve around learners!
As an Educational Manager at English Pour Tout Le Monde, Dave bears this trending approach in mind when designing and preparing the learning framework and materials for class use. All this ensures that the materials and their deliverance are relevant, coherent, engaging and purposeful.
In his free time, he likes to read, work out and scuba dive. Life is an adventure and an opportunity to learn and grow!
OUR ACTIVITIES
GROUP ENGLISH COURSES
In Autumn and Spring, we run group English courses. These evening courses usually run for 15 weeks and we offer three levels; beginner, pre-intermediate and intermediate.
These courses are more suitable for learners who can commit to being present every week and who want to progress their English through a more traditional course environment. We prioritise places to those who would not have the means to pay for traditional courses.
The courses are taught by 2 or 3 volunteers of which at least one is normally a teacher by profession.
GROUP CONVERSATION ATELIERS
Our conversation ateliers run every week and give learners the opportunity to learn, improve and practice their English in a fun and safe environment.
Lots of verbal exchange is encouraged to really help learners feel at ease with expressing themselves and improving pronunciation.
While it is encouraged, participation weekly is not obligatory and therefore, it is a better option for those who cannot commit to attending regularly.
The ateliers are animated by 2 or 3 volunteers who will facilitate the learning between the group.
KIDS ATELIERS
Since early 2022, we have been animating ateliers for children. We run two groups; 5-10 years old and 11-15 years old and we do fun activities like singing, acting, games and crafts to promote English learning.
Currently these are activities are open exclusively to the children living in the housing centre where we operate. However, we do have plans to expand this and run activities in the 19e area of Paris in 2024. Watch this space and you can register your interest here.
The activities are animated by 2 to 3 volunteers per group.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
We believe it is important to meet together outside of the classroom to share activities between students and volunteers and to practice English in a different way.
Therefore, we try to propose different activities in English from yoga to boxing to painting and beyond.
These sessions can be delivered by our volunteers, our participants or other partners and we are always open to more ideas if you would like to propose something too.
To see our current schedule, please click here.
PARTNER WITH US
We are always searching for new partners who are interested to have English courses available for the people they assist. We can adapt our course structure and content to the needs of your audience.
If you would be interested to meet us and discuss a partnership further, please contact us below.
OUR PARTNERS
Associations
OUR PARTNERS
Supporting our Projects
