ESL Class is Vital to the Sandhills Community

English as a Second Language (ESL) is one of the many Basic Skills classes taught through the Continuing Education division of Sandhills Community College. Maria Campbell, right, is seen with Christina Bello. Bello began taking ESL classes at Sandhills, completed her GED, and now owns La Poblanita Mexican Café in downtown Aberdeen. For more information about ESL in Moore and Hoke counties, Campbell can be reached at 695-3917 or campbellm@sandhills.edu.

ESL Class is Vital to the Sandhills Community

If you have ever visited a foreign country, you know how difficult it can be to read a newspaper, purchase items in a shop, seek directions to navigate roads, or even carry on a simple conversation with someone from the country.

Imagine relocating to that country having no or very limited speaking and writing skills in the language of the country. Imagine yourself looking for a place to live, seeking employment or hoping to become better educated in your new locale.

Moore County has many such residents. Some come here as Au Pairs or nannies, some as spouses of military, some fleeing persecution, war or famine in their home countries. For those living in squalid conditions without clean drinking water, plumbing, medical care or any hope for betterment, the United States is still the land of promise for a desirable life.

Puerto Rican residents are considered US citizens. Many cannot speak English. They are free to come to the states but find language barriers bar them from the chance to succeed.

Any good parent strives to provide opportunity and medical care for their children. Immigrant parents are no different. In many countries, education is poor or even nonexistent. Children die of common illnesses that have been eradicated in the United States. Disabled children have no medical care. Parents of such children risk everything to provide a better life in America.

“We have a lot of foreign-born spouses of U.S. citizens,” reports Maria Campbell, Coordinator of English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education at Sandhills Community College. “They seek to learn English.”

Sandhills Community College is committed to helping non-English-speaking residents of Moore County learn our language. Communicating in English supports our foreign residents on their journey to a satisfying life in our area.

Campbell explains that many residents typically think we are just teaching English to Spanish-speakers, but that is not the case. “In an ESL class, we have individuals of many different languages,” said Campbell.

“We have taught Czechoslovakians, Russians, Ukrainians, Germans, Vietnamese, Laotians, Hindus, Japanese, Thais, Central and South Americans, Iraqis, and Iranians,” she said. “It doesn't matter their native language, we can help.”

“We teach students from a range of educational levels,” Campbell continued. “We have had students who hold advanced university degrees from their home countries. We have taught English to physicians, clergy, engineers, and attorneys. Alongside them, we teach those who are almost illiterate in their own country and have little education.”

Teaching ESL can be quite challenging. Students often bring someone with them to help interpret. Sign language is common, pointing to objects for instruction. The use of photos is typical.

“Many of our students have a pocket translator,” Campbell explained. “This item is basically an electronic dictionary. The student can type in a word in their language to translate it into English or visa versa.”

The Internet is used extensively. There are many ESL, translator and dictionary sites.

ESL is not just learning to read, write and speak English. Students are taught state and federal laws, history and civics of the United States. Cultural appropriateness is taught. What may be acceptable in their home country may be taboo in America.

ESL students practice language skills through real-life contexts. For example, a class will improve its English by practicing skills necessary to find a job. Lessons include understanding newspaper ads, role-playing phone conversations with prospective employers, and talking about how to prepare for a job interview.

A class may have a unit on housing. Students compare apartment ads, interpret abbreviations, discuss security deposit requirements, and determine which option would be best for their family.

“Non-English speakers need to be able to do things we take for granted like place an emergency phone call or converse with medical providers,” Campbell added.

The ESL instructors run into many heart-wrenching situations concerning their students. They have seen families separated for several years when a family member strives to fulfill the immigration process. The individuals are forced to return to their home countries and often do not know when they can return to their spouses and children.

Several have seen students who are unaware of the US laws and unknowingly break them and suffer the consequences.

On the other hand, ESL instructors experience many heart-warming victories. “We had two students who were born in the U.S. and returned to their foreign country as children,” explained Campbell. “They came back to the area with very poor English skills. Each enrolled in ESL when they were 16 and were better prepared to succeed when they enrolled at their local high school.”

“We lost touch with one of the students, but the other graduated from high school and was headed to a university.”

Many students progress from ESL classes, earn the GED, go on to college, and become successful in their careers. Sandhills Community College offers scholarships to those who earn the GED and begin college credit courses.

One graduate that Campbell is especially proud of is Christina Bello. She began taking ESL classes at Sandhills, completed her GED, and now owns La Poblanita Mexican Café in downtown Aberdeen. She is a member of Moore County Chamber of Commerce.

ESL day classes are typically five to six hours each Monday-Thursday. Night classes are usually two to three nights a week with students taking three hours each evening.

Most hardships for students who want to learn English centers around transportation. The high fuel prices and difficulties obtaining a drivers license are common problems.

Child care issues are prevalent, even though the college offers assistance. Sandhills can help pay for child care through Smart Start funding, but in Robbins there are not enough child care centers and those that are located there are full.

To answer the issues of transportation and childcare, Sandhills has begun ESL Distance Education whereby students can learn English from home. It is a video program and the student comes to the college or center once every two weeks, instead of every day. Most work is done at home.

Currently, ESL classes are held on the main campus in Pinehurst, at the Westmoore Center in Robbins, the Hoke Center and the Presbyterian Church in Raeford. Students must be 16 or older.

“If a group of interested people in an area desire a class, we can teach it,” explains Campbell. “We have held classes in an EMS facility, a National Guard Armory, local schools, many churches-anywhere there is a classroom.”

Campbell can be reached at 695-3917 or campbellm@sandhills.edu.