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Free classes for refugee and asylum-seeking teens

Every teen deserves to be heard.

Aloud gives teens who have had to leave home free, live language classes with trained tutors, so they can speak up at school, at the doctor and in front of a judge.

Support Aloud Refer a teen
Can you say that again, more slowly? ¿Puede repetirlo más despacio? Week 1 · Asking for helpSpanish
I have an appointment at ten. У мене запис на десяту. Week 3 · AppointmentsUkrainian
I want to join the football team. أريد الانضمام إلى فريق كرة القدم. Week 6 · School lifeArabic
Our mission
Language is the first thing a new country asks of you, and the hardest to learn alone.

Aloud is a new nonprofit that delivers language education to teens in precarious situations. We are starting with refugees and asylum seekers aged 13 to 19, who often wait months for a school place or a hearing with no one to practice with.

Programs

Three tracks, one goal: speaking for yourself.

Every student starts in Arrival and moves on when they are ready. Groups are small, and tutors stay with the same group all term.

Arrival

The words you need in the first 90 days: getting around, staying safe, asking for help.

  • Transit, shops, phones and money
  • Health and emergencies
  • Introducing yourself

School Ready

Classroom language so students can join lessons, make friends and keep up with homework.

  • Following a lesson and taking notes
  • Talking to teachers and counselors
  • Reading for school

Speak for Yourself

Practice for the conversations that matter most, run alongside legal and caseworker partners.

  • Appointments and interviews
  • Telling your story in your own words
  • Knowing when to ask for an interpreter
How it works

From referral to first class in about a week.

1

Referral

A caseworker, school, shelter or the teen themself fills in a short form. No documents are needed.

2

Placement chat

A 20-minute call, in the teen's own language when we can, to find the right level and a time that works.

3

Small-group classes

Live online classes three times a week with up to six teens and the same tutor. A phone is enough to join.

4

Speak aloud

Each term ends with every student giving a short talk about something they care about, to an audience they choose.

Our promises

Safe to show up.

Always free

No fees, no materials to buy. Data costs for families can be covered.

No papers needed

We never ask about immigration status to enroll.

Private by default

We never share a student's information with immigration authorities.

Trauma-informed tutors

Every tutor is background-checked and trained before teaching.

Give

Help us open the first classes.

Most of what we spend will go to paying and training tutors. You can also help with your time or by connecting us with a teen who needs classes.

Tutor with us

Teach one small group, three hours a week, for a term. We train you first, and teaching experience is welcome but not required.

Apply to tutor →

Refer a teen

Caseworkers, schools and shelters can refer students here. Teens can also sign themselves up.

Refer a teen →
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