Burnsville ISD 191- Immigrants Continuing their Education through ESL Classes
- July 29th, 2010 2:03 am
ISD 191 – ABE Schedule and Services
Alfonso Sintjago
It’s nine in the morning in Burnsville at the Independent School District 191, in the outskirts of the Twin Cities. Here, a group of adults from a number of nationalities prepare for their English as a Second Language (ESL) class. ESL is only one of the various community education programs provided at ISD 191, which includes a lifelong learning library, an early childhood program, a youth and family education program, a basic adult education (ABE) program and a computer training center. Apart from the ESL classes, the ABE program allows students to take their GED and be part of Basic Skill workshops.
For recent immigrants or immigrants that have yet to have a functional understanding of English or those who would simply like to improve their English, ESL classes provide them with a way to continue their education and further integrate themselves into American society. Having moved to the United States permanently or for a long period of time, learning English will also allow them to have a greater likelihood of finding employment.
As a result of the limited job market, some previously employed immigrants have found themselves unable to find a job and have turned to ESL classes as a way to feel productive and increase their employment opportunities. Without having a functional level of English and a basic level of computer literacy individuals will have limited job opportunities available.
To meet the needs of the community, ISD 191 offers 5 different levels of ESL classes which are taught by highly qualified staff and a group of vastly appreciated volunteers. Having open enrollment, students come and go, and students are regularly tested to ensure they are placed in the class which adequately matches their English proficiency level.
A great difficulty however results from the uneven levels of skills within each student; some students have no trouble speaking, while others find reading or writing easier. Accommodating for student’s different backgrounds, ages and goals is difficult, but the teachers, with the aid of volunteers and computer software, are able to provide a customized experience to their students.
The classes include students from a diverse number of countries such as Ethiopia, Mexico, India, Libya, Korea, Vietnam, among others. On Monday, July 26, during the advanced level class, the students read about the Vietnam war memorial and watched a clip of Forest Gump while the instructor explained the meaning of some of the events in the movie related to the Vietnam War. During the class, the students were very engaged and exhibited a high level of camaraderie and collaboration.
According to Tammi Bernard, the ESL Volunteer Coordinator, the program has succeeded in empowering students by providing them the means to obtain a functional level of English, nevertheless, a transition stage between ESL and being able to enroll at a college is needed. Providing funds and classes to teach at this transitional stage will help increase the number of graduates who go on to pass their GED and enroll in higher education. The program will finish its summer session in two weeks but will begin its fall ESL classes on September 7. During session, there are classes in the evening and the morning (link to schedule). For more information about the center visit www.communityed191.org, or email/call Tammi Bernard at (952) -707-4127 / tbernard@burnsville.k12.mn.us. –
