Trinity Lutheran Church offers an “English as a Second Language” conversation group. Every year students, researchers, and visiting professors from all over the world (and their families) come to Norman and to the OU community. On Saturday mornings, volunteers from Trinity present talks on topics of interest from Oklahoma and American culture, followed by English language practice in small groups. A Bible study is also offered, and there are wonderful opportunities to make friendships along the way. Join us for one Saturday or for more – no obligation. You’ll be glad you did!
For more information, including times and locations, e-mail us at esl.trinity@gmail.com
FEBRUARY NEWS
As I write this, the OU spring semester will start in a few days, but we have already had our first ESL conversation group meeting of the semester. This first meeting brought us four new members! We had great conversations about New Year traditions in the US and in their home countries – many involving food (our favorite topic by far!).
We have also had our first volunteer planning committee meeting and planned the presentation schedule for the semester. There are a lot of great topics coming up: some old favorites (the Superbowl) and some brand new ones (ex. English idioms). We have a great group of volunteers involved in hospitality, children’s activities, presentations, transportation, and leaders of conversation groups. Thank you all! This outreach wouldn’t exist without you!
This year I would like to start a monthly highlight of one of our volunteers. Our “volunteer of the month” for February 2026 is Vickie Bair. Vickie is our queen of hospitality! When John and I go by the church on Saturday mornings to pick up ESL supplies, she is always in the church kitchen ahead of us making coffee, filling carafes with hot water for hot chocolate or tea. She packs it all up with containers of fruit, baked goodies, and other snacks, ready to make our attendees feel welcome. In so many of the cultures that our students belong to, food hospitality is a very big deal. Vickie has us covered in that area, and our ESL students feel the welcome from our group.
Thank you so much Vickie – you rock!
If you ever have and questions about the ESL group, feel free to contact Vickie Zubialde at vickieloemker.1@gmail.com or have Jackie get a message to me.
