ESOL courses opening doors for internationals in Central Texas

Cristina Hernandez, ACC ESOL student

For Cristina Hernandez, the path to American citizenship led through Austin Community College.

“My English classes changed my life by making everything easier,” says Hernandez. “I understand what I couldn’t before.”

Hernandez came to the United States from El Salvador to reconnect with her mother, brother, and sister. Thanks to the English for Speakers of Other Languages classes offered through ACC, she became a fluent English speaker and passed her citizenship test three years ago. Hernandez is proud to be the first naturalized citizen in her family.

“Cristina is an example that you can do it,” says Dr. Shannon Bailey, ESOL Department chair.

More Central Texans than ever can benefit from ESOL courses. The latest census data shows the region is growing in diversity. In Austin alone, 35 percent of the population identifies as being Latino and over 6 percent identifies as Asian. ESOL courses help students at any level improve their English, so they can be more successful in college, at work, and in the community.

The college’s faculty has an abundance of experience; many of them are bilingual and the majority have lived or taught overseas.

“Although English is the language of instruction in our ESOL classes, many teachers know where the ‘traps’ are and can therefore tailor their teaching,” says Bailey. “The kind of sensitivity required of ESOL teachers extends to understanding cultural differences, as well as linguistic ones – for example, recognizing that some cultures are more oral/aural than others.”

ACC’s ESOL program incorporates a 5-level integrated skills design.

“Language learning requires time and multiple opportunities for practice,” says Bailey.

The college’s Division of Adult Education also offers a basic-English skills course for beginners at no cost. To participate in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, the first step is to attend an orientation.

Hernandez has hit the ground running and will use her language skills to reach an even bigger dream.

“My plan is to get a degree and become a nurse to have a better job.”

For additional information contact Sue Thomas, ESOL Assessor, at 512.223.9236.

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