CLEVELAND — According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are nearly a million Ohioans whose first language is not English. Around a third are native Spanish speakers. Esperanza is known for offering a variety of classes to the Hispanic and Latino community including a class only specific to them. In their English as a second language class, only English is spoken in this class. This is a way to help non-native speakers learn to become fluent.
“I saw this class on Facebook,” said Esmirna Lantigua, a student at Esperanza. “So, I live near here. So, it was good for me, and they offered me the opportunity to learn.”
Lantigua moved to the United States from the Dominican Republic to get more opportunities for her family.
She’s been living here for four years, while learning English as a second language.
“If I speak more fluently, maybe I can be my more confident,” said Lantigua. “So, that’s why I have to learn.”
Lantigua takes classes learning English as a second language at Esperanza. It’s a nonprofit organization focused on teaching, mentoring and workforce development programs in the Hispanic communities throughout Northeast Ohio. Todd Alexander is Lantigua’s ESL teacher. He said learning English as a second language can advance a student’s life.
“If you don’t speak English, it will be much more difficult to advance professionally,” said Alexander. “It reduces the number of opportunities you have to improve your job or find jobs that pay a little bit more.”
Sonia Matis is the adult learners program coordinator. She said these classes open up the students to opportunities they wouldn’t have otherwise.
“If somebody comes from a different country and they want to learn the English, we definitely welcome them,” said Matis.
According to national labor data, non-fluent English speakers earn less than half of what fluent or bilingual workers make and adults who learn English can increase their income up to 56%.
“A lot of the people here who are trying to learn English as a second language, they’re really doing it because here in the United States it’s almost a necessity,” said Alexander.
Alexander said his students want to learn, and many also take advantage of other programs beyond ESL. Esperanza is the only nonprofit in the state to offer a GED program entirely in Spanish. They also have a partnership with Tri-C for those who want a college degree.
“Even though they come from a different country, they still can go to college,” said Matis.
Lantigua said her goal is to speak like an American and she wants to learn.
She said learning English has changed her life, but she is not done learning yet. Esperanza also offers a digital literacy program, and all programs are free to students.
Classes are offered from beginning to advanced classes, morning and afternoon classes. The ESL classes are from August to May. The organization has students from all over the world including from Mexico, Guatemala, Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador.
Source: spectrumnews1.com
