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English Aquisition | Adventure | Accomplishment

The Language Enhancement After-school Program (LEAP) is a partnership between Western Carolina University’s (WCU) College of Education and Allied Professions, Jackson County Public Schools (JCPS), and the program’s location, Cullowhee United Methodist Church (CUMC) on WCU’s campus.

LEAP is an after-school program that provides English language learners, kindergarten through 8^th grade, with meaningful learning opportunities to better prepare them for school and life.  JCPS brings the children by bus to CUMC on WCU’s campus after school.  Weather permitting, a day at LEAP includes both outside activities providing exercise, and indoor academic lessons, homework help, games, and activities.

The LEAP teachers are WCU students, many of whom are majoring in Education and/or minoring in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).  By working as LEAP teachers, they get valuable classroom experience with the Multi-Language Learner (MLL, formerly ESL) population. 

Since CUMC is in the middle of WCU’s campus, it is very convenient for the student teachers, and an awesome opportunity to expose the children to campus life.  Especially for our middle schoolers, LEAP is an opportunity to make them comfortable on a college campus, and perhaps envision college in their own future!

Students at LEAP have the opportunity to learn many skills that will help them succeed academically.  In addition to daily homework help and activities designed by LEAP staff, LEAP students also participate in on-campus field trips, learn from guest lecturers, interact with WCU student volunteers, and experience enrichment activities hosted by the students and faculty at WCU.  The kids at LEAP get to become an integral part of our campus community.  Even PAWS, the WCU mascot, loves to visit LEAP!  

LEAP student teachers are trained by WCU faculty to give each child meaningful instruction, using technology and researched methodology.  WCU staff and faculty members work closely with LEAP teachers to ensure effective strategies are used for English language acquisition.  In addition, many of the staff at LEAP are bilingual and able to support students with limited English proficiency in their native language, when needed.

LEAP staff believe strongly in the importance of working in partnership with families to support the academic and social development of their children, requesting and being open to feedback.  LEAP also provides family engagement opportunities, including weekly English classes for parents and other adult family members.

LEAP is a multilingual, multicultural program, where all people, languages, and cultures are celebrated. LEAP strives to better the lives of the children and families it serves, as well as support pre-service teachers in working effectively with a culturally rich population.

Primary Goals:

• To promote English language development and proficiency for LEAP’s K-8^th grade students.
• To focus on reading, writing, science, and math skills through a responsive, adaptive curriculum.
• To improve students’ confidence with speaking, listening, and social skills.
• To create a safe educational space where all backgrounds and cultures are respected and celebrated.
• To provide a place for future teachers to receive training and gain experience teaching our MLL (Multi-Language Learner) population.
• To support LEAP families through adult English classes.

Studies have shown that the more a child participates in afterschool programs, the more likely they are to show academic and social gains. 

For more information about LEAP, please reach out to the LEAP Director.