ESL classes give a chance
By: Max Rose, Assistant City Editor
Issue date: 3/31/08 Section: City
Martha Calle, a baby sitter from Colombia, wants to own her own day care.
Daniel Esgralo, a landscaper from Mexico, wants to be able to express himself.
Surrounded by signs that read responsibility, fairness and trustworthiness, Esteban Martinez, a house framer from Mexico, listens intently.
"This is the best tool, I think, to understand the community," he said.
Thousands of adults use free English as a Second Language classes throughout the state so they can teach their children and advance at work.
Calle, Esgralo and Martinez study through a N.C. Community College System program that is funded by taxpayer money and does not check the legal status of its students.
On Tuesday and Thursday nights, they leave work and sit in small chairs meant for Sunday school children at University Presbyterian Church on Franklin Street.
"Sometimes they're motivated because this is something they need," Durham Technical Community College ESL Program Director Karin Abell said.
"Sometimes they're motivated because this is something they've wanted to do for a long time."
Difficulty assimilating
Martinez knew some English when he came to the United States 14 years ago and now speaks clearly despite a Mexican accent.
But many in the Durham Tech classes throughout Durham and Orange counties enter without literacy even in their native languages.
The beginners struggle to address an envelope or fill out a check. Advanced student Olga Bondareva said she had trouble buying groceries when she first came from Russia two years ago.
She didn't know the difference between kilograms and pounds when she purchased diapers for her then-2-year-old daughter.
"When I opened it, it was big Pampers," she said with a self-depreciating laugh.
For parents, it can be difficult to talk to children's teachers or help with even the easiest homework.
"I really need it for my childrens in the school," Edith Resendiz said.
Daniel Esgralo, a landscaper from Mexico, wants to be able to express himself.
Surrounded by signs that read responsibility, fairness and trustworthiness, Esteban Martinez, a house framer from Mexico, listens intently.
"This is the best tool, I think, to understand the community," he said.
Thousands of adults use free English as a Second Language classes throughout the state so they can teach their children and advance at work.
Calle, Esgralo and Martinez study through a N.C. Community College System program that is funded by taxpayer money and does not check the legal status of its students.
On Tuesday and Thursday nights, they leave work and sit in small chairs meant for Sunday school children at University Presbyterian Church on Franklin Street.
"Sometimes they're motivated because this is something they need," Durham Technical Community College ESL Program Director Karin Abell said.
"Sometimes they're motivated because this is something they've wanted to do for a long time."
Difficulty assimilating
Martinez knew some English when he came to the United States 14 years ago and now speaks clearly despite a Mexican accent.
But many in the Durham Tech classes throughout Durham and Orange counties enter without literacy even in their native languages.
The beginners struggle to address an envelope or fill out a check. Advanced student Olga Bondareva said she had trouble buying groceries when she first came from Russia two years ago.
She didn't know the difference between kilograms and pounds when she purchased diapers for her then-2-year-old daughter.
"When I opened it, it was big Pampers," she said with a self-depreciating laugh.
For parents, it can be difficult to talk to children's teachers or help with even the easiest homework.
"I really need it for my childrens in the school," Edith Resendiz said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Rick
posted 3/31/08 @ 11:37 AM EST
"Calle, Esgralo and Martinez study through a N.C. Community College System program that is funded by taxpayer money and does not check the legal status of its students. (Continued…)
Eric Roth
posted 5/03/08 @ 7:38 PM EST
Excellent artice!
A good society helps citizens, workers, and human beings to flourish. America will become a better, stronger, and more creative society if we help immigrants learn how to read, write, and speak English. (Continued…)
Juan In A. Position To Know
posted 5/04/08 @ 9:44 AM EST
Whatever one's take is (politically) on issues related to the expenditure of taxpayer dollars on ESL or any other services for illegal immigrants (or legal for that matter), the following should be noted regarding the premises and all too typical scenarios encountered by ESL instructors in Community College Systems. (Continued…)
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