Our Story
New In America was founded by Tone and Neil. They have a deep commitment to helping immigrants succeed in their new home. Tone is from Norway and has learned English as a second language herself. Here is a snapshot of their story:
Our journey began in Greenland. In the midst of snow drifts and blistering winds, we spent several years learning language and immersing ourselves in a culture vastly different from our own. This experience gave us firsthand insight into the challenges of adapting to a new language and way of life. After Greenland, we were involved in training people for cross-cultural ministry in the United States and in Australia.
When we settled in Pennsylvania in 2016, we dedicated ourselves to refugee resettlement work, helping newly arrived families navigate the complexities of American life. Through this work, we witnessed the importance of language education and cultural understanding. We saw how ESL programs could not only open doors to employment, education, and community integration, but also deep relationships across cultures.
Tone and Neil both hold a degree in cross-cultural ministry. In addition, Tone has a degree in education and has specialized training in ESL instruction. She has taught ESL in community classes, church based programs and tutored many immigrants in their homes. She brings her own experience in language learning, cross-cultural work, and personal relationships with people from multiple cultures and languages into the curriculum.
Our ESL workbooks are not just language textbooks—they are guides to American life, designed to help immigrants build the skills and confidence they need to thrive. Every lesson is adapted from real-life scenarios that immigrants we have helped have faced, from navigating healthcare systems to succeeding in job interviews. We believe that learning English is about more than grammar and vocabulary; it’s about belonging and contributing to a new community.
Our Mission
To provide high-quality, culturally based educational resources that empower immigrants to learn English, understand American culture, and build successful lives in their new home. We believe that language is the key to building relationships, opportunity, and finding community in a new culture. We also want to help churches establish programs to reach out to the immigrant population and include them into their communities.
