Second Language Project is a community initiative rooted in San Leandro and serving the wider San Francisco Bay Area, California.
We bring people together through language learning, community conversations, and shared knowledge. Our work begins with an interest in how people live, what they know, and what becomes possible when they can learn from one another.
Our mission
Second Language Project brings people together through conversation, learning, and community inquiry—in English and other languages—and preserves and shares knowledge that helps people participate in community life and shape their shared future.
Our vision
Communities where people understand one another across languages and experiences, can influence decisions that affect their lives, and can build on knowledge that remains accessible over time.
Why “Second Language”?
Our name reflects a commitment to understanding across languages and experiences. Learning another language can open a conversation. So can listening carefully to a neighbor whose life is different from our own.
You do not need to speak another language or be learning one to participate. English belongs in our work alongside other languages. What matters is making space for people to communicate, contribute, and be understood.
What guides us
Respect for people and place
We pay attention to local experience, cultural context, and the ways people prefer to communicate. We recognize that no one person speaks for an entire community.
Care in how we work
We value thoughtful preparation, clear responsibilities, and careful use of information. We aim to make participation understandable and worthwhile.
Room for different perspectives
We welcome questions and differences of experience. Understanding a perspective does not require everyone to agree with it.
Something useful to carry forward
We develop learning materials and public resources that people can revisit, discuss, and use. We take responsibility for explaining their context and limitations.
The people behind SLP
SLP is an early-stage community initiative led by Kit Wong and Sky Woo.
Kit Wong (Executive Director)
Kit Wong founded Second Language Project in San Leandro, California. She attended Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, known for its strength in foreign language education, and holds degrees in international accounting, economics and law. Her career includes business management, financial reporting and analysis, and audit and tax compliance at Siemens and ExxonMobil, where she held controller and corporate legal secretary positions. She also led an IT and financial technology consultancy in Hong Kong. Through SLP, she brings international experience and a love of language learning to helping people communicate, build friendships and participate in community life.
Sky Woo (Program Director)
Sky Woo brings experience in technology, finance, investment analytics and community organizing to Second Language Project. He has held chief financial officer positions with Connecticut Hospital Management, United Health (UHS), Triage Corporation Limited, FA Capital Partners and Market Linked, and is the general partner of Market Risk Partners. Based in San Leandro, he helps develop SLP’s community listening sessions, language-learning programs and accessible digital tools. He believes community grows through listening, looking out for one another and creating opportunities for everyone to contribute.
Working with our communities
We welcome conversations with residents, libraries, community groups, schools, public agencies, and others who see an opportunity to learn together.
A useful collaboration begins with a shared understanding of the people involved, the purpose of the work, and what it should leave behind.