Nonprofit English Language Center gives a new start to adults

By Kayla A. Swenson

25 dollars is the only cost required for students to enroll at the English Language Center of Cache Valley.

This small price offers immigrants and refugees a chance to change their lives.

Today the English Language Center started a new spring term accepting 11 new students into the beginner class. The class will teach English literacy and language composition.

“We are here for the students and we want to make it affordable for them,” said Ronda Kingsford, a coordinator at the nonprofit center. “If they pay a little bit then we are likely to hang in there.”

The English Language Center has assisted adults from 92 different countries learn to speak English. Some of the students have lived in the United States for years but cannot read, write or speak with fluency.

“I have lived in the United States for 24 years,” said Gloria Garcia, a recently enrolled student at the center. “I want to understand my son. He is 17 and doesn’t understand my Spanish.”

Garcia and other new students are hoping that the program will help them connect with the world around them and eventually obtain better employment.

“I work at Chuck-A-Rama and Golden Coral right now,” said Rosa Magana Madrid, an immigrant from El Salvador. “I want to communicate with the customers and understand what slice of meat they want.”

All students must take a standardized test before enrolling. The test assists faculty members in determining what class-level a student should attend.

The center offers five levels of classes as well as classes in pronunciation and writing.

“If their speaking level is a two but their writing level a one then they will be sorted into a level one class,” Kingsford said.

Kingsford said that two years ago the center started a pre-literate class for adults who have never had the chance to attend school. In the class they learn how to read and write.

Hannah Joeckel teaches the beginner’s class. Her class includes adults from Mexico, Peru, El Salvador, Nepal and Sudan. She speaks slowly to her students and uses her hands to articulate what she is trying to say.

“I like teacher,” said Maria Christina Torres, a new student from Peru. “She is good, I understand.”

The center offers classes on weekdays in the morning and evening. To volunteer at the center go to www.elc-cv.org.