WORD ON THE STREET
ESL classes offer opportunities to grow BY ANNE STOKES
W
pretty much it’s the basis hether it’s getting a job, meeting with your child’s of everything that I’ve done teacher or having a conversation with a neighbor, After learning basic English skills since then.” being able to read, write and speak English opens a at Clovis Adult School, Juan Carlos There are also lot of doors. English as a Second Language (ESL) programs Romero now attends California State University, Fresno. opportunities for students enable students to do all of those things, as well as prepare PHOTO BY CLAIRE TAKAHASHI who want to get in, get out them for citizenship and the workforce — all for free. and get a job. Several adult “They offer you a lot of information and a lot of schools enable students basic skills that you’re going to need,” says Juan to take ESL and vocational classes at the same Carlos Romero, who knows the challenges time with the help of in-class ESL tutors. firsthand. “It’s the basis for everything “You need to be able to understand because if you don’t have English the instructor, you need to be able to (skills), at least at a basic level, communicate in certain, specific you’re not really able to do a lot of words. The tutors in there, the things and (be part) of society.” paraprofessionals, can help Today, Romero attends with that,” says Oscar Hinojosa, California State University, Fresno, transition specialist with the where he plans to graduate with a State Center Adult Education degree in plant science next year. Consortium. “While their English But in 2014, he was just starting a is improving, they’ll be able to get new life here. that certificate and go out into the “I was completely lost,” he Juan Carlos Romero workforce.” remembers. “I didn’t speak any Clovis Adult School Such flexibility is key to supporting English.” ESL graduate students, who may already be juggling Romero started taking ESL classes work and families. Classes are available at Clovis Adult School a few months after mornings, afternoons, evenings and online. Most are he arrived from Mexico. Within a year, he was able to tuition free, including ESL and citizenship classes. enroll in Fresno City College and then transfer to California “You learn a lot,” says Romero. “You’re going from State University, Fresno. In December 2021, he became a nothing to pretty much everything because you learn citizen. He says that the skills he learned through the ESL writing, reading (and) speaking. It’s a pretty complete, program enabled him to continue his education. solid program.” “Before I got into Clovis Adult School, I went to Fresno State to check out their programs,” he says. “They told For more information on an ESL program near you, me to go to adult education because I didn’t have the visit www.scaeclearns.org or call 559-207-3189. English skills to get into Fresno State at that moment. So,
“If you don’t have English (skills), at least at a basic level, you’re not really able to do a lot of things and (be part) of society.”
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PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS
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State Center Adult Education Consortium
Community Resources ESL programs throughout the consortium offer students support in and out of the classroom. Students can get referrals for help with their immigration journey, including legal issues surrounding DACA, AB 540, educational opportunities, civic engagement and other immigration services. The State Center Adult Education Consortium collaborates with organizations including: • The San Joaquin College of Law • The Fresno Center • The Educational Leadership Foundation • United Farm Workers Foundation • The Dream Resource Center at Fresno Adult School • The Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative (CVIIC)
