With two new Mexican restaurants coming to Charleston, there’s a good chance that the need for English as a second language (ESL) programs is going to grow.

At least that’s what the Newman Center’s Amigos & Friends organizers are expecting.

“I don’t know what to expect this semester,” said Emily Davis, a junior English major who is organizing the program this year. “As our need expands, we will expand too.”

The program is beginning its fifth year in Charleston with an informational meeting for interested volunteers at 9 tonight in the Newman Center.

The group meets three times a week as an ESL program offering free lessons for foreign language speakers in Charleston.

Doris Nordin started the program when she moved to Charleston from Mexico five years ago. She noticed there was a need for an ESL program because many Spanish-speakers in the community would often call her asking for help with everyday tasks like dealing with the phone company or shopping at Wal-Mart, she said.

Nordin decided to organize a way to help through the Newman Center where she and many other people from Charleston’s Spanish-speaking community attend church.

The program has developed and transformed during the years growing in both students (Amigos) and volunteers (Friends), Nordin said.

Last year about 25 students were attending the program.

“Over the years it’s evolved to be one-on-one tutoring,” Davis said, with more volunteers showing up to help than students at times. The one-on-one approach allows each student to learn at his or her own pace.

The majority of students participating in the ESL program are Spanish-speaking, but everyone is welcome, Nordin said. She and Davis recently visited places of business in Charleston where Chinese and Vietnamese-speaking employees might be working to try and educate the community about the program.

“Everybody is welcome,” Nordin said.

Some students have been attending the program since it began in 2003, and they continue to build both their language skills and confidence, Nordin said. Some students have even moved on to continue their education at Lakeland College in Mattoon.

“The point of the whole program is so you don’t have to have the class anymore,” Davis said.

Besides the language, the program is also a way for people who are new to the community to get to know people outside of their work and family.

“It’s a beautiful opportunity to meet people,” Nordin said. “There’s an exchange of culture.

“Sometimes we want to make a difference in other places, but we’re making a difference right here, right now,” Nordin said. She encourages anyone who is interested in volunteering to attend tonight’s meeting.

Many volunteers are Spanish majors or are pursuing degrees in teaching; however, anyone is welcome to help no matter how much experience they have.

Classes will be Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 -11 p.m. this year.

Fact box

Who: Anyone interested in volunteering for an ESL program

What: Amigos & Friends informational meeting

When: 9 tonight

Where: The Newman Center