School district helps students by teaching parents English
After completing an English as a Second Language course (ESL), Ana Rosa Burgos, who moved to the United States from Puerto Rico in July 2006, also learned the “ABCs” of English education.
Burgos, a resident of Bristol, is one of 10 June graduates from a yearlong adult course offered to non- and limited-English speaking parents of students through the Bristol Township School District.
Burgos, whose native language is Spanish, could speak a few words of English prior to the course, and has now expanded her vocabulary to conversational English.
She said the course has made her life easier in the United States when doing things like paying for items at a store, making a doctor’s appointment for her children or talking to native English speakers in public.
“It is definitely great because, when you can speak and when you can read, you can feel normal,” she said.
Graduating from the program inspired Burgos to feel more at home in her new homeland.
“When somebody says ‘hi’ or ‘hello’ now, I’m not afraid,” Burgos said. “My daughter speaks English, and I am practicing speaking with her at home.”
Burgos’ daughter, Jessica De Jesus, 12, was enrolled in the student portion of the ESL program, which begins in the summer. She also takes ESL classes throughout the school year.
Jessica recently completed the sixth grade at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School. Jessica enjoyed the ESL program
“I think it helped me a lot,” Jessica said. “When I came to the United States, I was so scared, so I didn’t talk that much English, but I knew a little bit. In Puerto Rico they teach English, but only the basics.”
She said it’s cool to speak to her mother in both English and Spanish at home. One of the adult ESL program’s goals is to maintain the family’s first language and help the parent and child with English at the same time.
“Any kid who went there could tell you it was just a great experience, because we had fun meeting new people and learning more English with friends,” she said.
The five-week summer ESL program for district students will begin again in July, bringing students together for the first half of the day at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School for an academic English session, and the second half of the day at the Fairless Hills YMCA for physical activity.
On Wednesdays, students attend the YMCA or take field trips for the entire day.
The yearlong adult ESL classes met for the first time in the fall this school year. Classes took place two days a week, with an additional family-night dinner and special activity with an ESL teacher or social service worker.
The dinners discuss resources available in the community. Lessons focused on topics such as conversational basics, vocabulary words for occupations, store items and how to read mailing addresses, as well as their children’s report cards.
Participants were provided with transportation and childcare at the Fairless Hills YMCA. Language lessons are provided to the participants by Bucks County nonprofit organization Vita Education Services through a Pennsylvania State 21st Century Learning Center grant.
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School principal Terrie Giardine helped write the grant to secure the program.
“Attendance and interest in the program has been phenomenal,” Giardine said. The school district’s ESL program manager, Tina Ruckh, serves as coordinator for both programs.
“We were thrilled with their enthusiasm. They really stuck it out, even during the winter months, and we saw improvement in their language-speaking ability,” Ruckh said.
Ruckh said the overall hope for the program is to eliminate language or cultural barriers to families who want to participate in their childern’s education.
“We hope it helps families feel comfortable in the school environment and that it helps the parents learn English so that they can help their children succeed,” Ruckh said.
The inaugural graduation ceremony was held on June 15 at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School.
At the ceremony, the 10 women (eight of whom are native Spanish speakers; two speak Turkish) received certificates in front of their families for the completion of the ESL program.
“Their children are so proud to see them learn English. It’s a nice thing to see happen,” she said.
Burgos, a resident of Bristol, is one of 10 June graduates from a yearlong adult course offered to non- and limited-English speaking parents of students through the Bristol Township School District.
Burgos, whose native language is Spanish, could speak a few words of English prior to the course, and has now expanded her vocabulary to conversational English.
She said the course has made her life easier in the United States when doing things like paying for items at a store, making a doctor’s appointment for her children or talking to native English speakers in public.
“It is definitely great because, when you can speak and when you can read, you can feel normal,” she said.
Graduating from the program inspired Burgos to feel more at home in her new homeland.
“When somebody says ‘hi’ or ‘hello’ now, I’m not afraid,” Burgos said. “My daughter speaks English, and I am practicing speaking with her at home.”
Burgos’ daughter, Jessica De Jesus, 12, was enrolled in the student portion of the ESL program, which begins in the summer. She also takes ESL classes throughout the school year.
Jessica recently completed the sixth grade at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School. Jessica enjoyed the ESL program
“I think it helped me a lot,” Jessica said. “When I came to the United States, I was so scared, so I didn’t talk that much English, but I knew a little bit. In Puerto Rico they teach English, but only the basics.”
She said it’s cool to speak to her mother in both English and Spanish at home. One of the adult ESL program’s goals is to maintain the family’s first language and help the parent and child with English at the same time.
“Any kid who went there could tell you it was just a great experience, because we had fun meeting new people and learning more English with friends,” she said.
The five-week summer ESL program for district students will begin again in July, bringing students together for the first half of the day at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School for an academic English session, and the second half of the day at the Fairless Hills YMCA for physical activity.
On Wednesdays, students attend the YMCA or take field trips for the entire day.
The yearlong adult ESL classes met for the first time in the fall this school year. Classes took place two days a week, with an additional family-night dinner and special activity with an ESL teacher or social service worker.
The dinners discuss resources available in the community. Lessons focused on topics such as conversational basics, vocabulary words for occupations, store items and how to read mailing addresses, as well as their children’s report cards.
Participants were provided with transportation and childcare at the Fairless Hills YMCA. Language lessons are provided to the participants by Bucks County nonprofit organization Vita Education Services through a Pennsylvania State 21st Century Learning Center grant.
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School principal Terrie Giardine helped write the grant to secure the program.
“Attendance and interest in the program has been phenomenal,” Giardine said. The school district’s ESL program manager, Tina Ruckh, serves as coordinator for both programs.
“We were thrilled with their enthusiasm. They really stuck it out, even during the winter months, and we saw improvement in their language-speaking ability,” Ruckh said.
Ruckh said the overall hope for the program is to eliminate language or cultural barriers to families who want to participate in their childern’s education.
“We hope it helps families feel comfortable in the school environment and that it helps the parents learn English so that they can help their children succeed,” Ruckh said.
The inaugural graduation ceremony was held on June 15 at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School.
At the ceremony, the 10 women (eight of whom are native Spanish speakers; two speak Turkish) received certificates in front of their families for the completion of the ESL program.
“Their children are so proud to see them learn English. It’s a nice thing to see happen,” she said.
