During these crazy covid times, the challenge for students having to adjust to online classes is that much more difficult if the language they’re learning in isn’t their first. Recognising this, ESL International (ESLI), based in El Paso, Texas – where 83 per cent of the population is of Hispanic descent – is offering free English-language lessons to high school students and their parents. Since 2012, ESLI (not part of the large ESL chain) has been providing intensive English language lessons to employees of companies doing business in the USA and Mexico.
Speaking on local TV station KVIA were Barron E White, ESLI’s founder, and ESLI instructor Rosario Meyer. “Our kids are an asset within our community and I think it’s important for businesses to come together and support them,” said Barron. “Those kids are coming into our workforce and if they don’t have the academic knowledge, the academic vocabulary, then we’re hurting ourselves as a community, as a society. We need to come together and push our kids forward.”
“We will be helping the students with any subject,” added Rosario. “Wherever the students need help, even chemistry. We don’t know about chemistry, but we know the language aspect of it and that’s where we’re going to be helping the students. Whatever their teachers assign, we will help them with.”
ESLI’s teachers will meet with the students online twice a week for between 45 and 60 minutes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Parents must be home during instruction and are welcome to sit in. Registration starts on January 11.
