Childcare is one of the biggest barriers to retention in our Adult ESL program. We are constantly told by the district that Board of Health and funding restrictions on childcare are insurmountable. How are you doing this? 

Linda C. Hoffman 
Coordinator, Adult ESL 
Ogden School District 
455 - 28th Street 
Ogden, UT 84401 
801-430-0641 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Janet Shing" <Janet at cfmco.org> 
To: "The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List" <englishlanguage at nifl.gov>, pumarosa21 at yahoo.com 
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 10:26:37 AM GMT -07:00 US/Canada Mountain 
Subject: [EnglishLanguage 3908] Re: Community Based ESL 




We have a successful program in Greenfield, California. The area has a growing indigenous population from Oaxaca, Mexico (conservative estimates are around 4,000). Indigenous Oaxacans do not necessarily speak Spanish. There are more than twenty indigenous languages spoken in Oaxaca. These languages are unique; unrelated to Spanish; and sound more similar to Native American languages than Spanish. 



The majority of literacy programs in our area focus on English. Oaxacans, who do not have a written language, need basic skills (alphabet, vocalization, group learning etiquette, etc.) before tackling English. La Campaña de Literatura para la Comunidad began a new program in 2007 to meet this need. Groups of 25 adults meet at a community center in a nearby low-income housing complex. The class meets for two hours, twice a week, for two 16-week sessions, which is planned around the seasonal agricultural schedule. Local teachers with the help of Oaxacan translators facilitate the class. In addition to basic literacy skills, the curriculum includes sessions on health literacy (how to read a prescription, what to expect at a doctor’s appointment, etc.) and family literacy. The class provides childcare and a healthy snack. This program has had near 100% retention in the last two years. 



Paul, Thank you for sharing your information. I too would like to hear about other community-based programs. 




Thank you, 



Janet Shing , Program Officer 

Community Foundation for Monterey County – Here for Good , www.cfmco.org 

Literacy Campaign for Monterey County – Reading is Power , www.literacycampaignmc.org 

2354 Garden Road , Monterey, CA 93940 

(831) 375-9712 x137 






From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of carolkubota at comcast.net 
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 6:10 PM 
To: pumarosa21 at yahoo.com; The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List 
Subject: [EnglishLanguage 3906] Re: Community Based ESL 




Hello Paul, 



That is a fantastic idea. 



Carol 

Battle Creek Language and Culture Center 
Director/ESL Language Specialist 
7 Heritage Oak Lane #4 
Battle Creek, Mi 49015 
269-979-8432 
http://www.bclanguageculture.com 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul Rogers" <pumarosa21 at yahoo.com> 
To: englishlanguage at nifl.gov 
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 1:28:15 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: [EnglishLanguage 3904] Community Based ESL 

Several months ago I started tutoring the workers at a large laundromat where I take my clothes. I use my own texts and audio cds which I sell at cost. I also show them how to access my website. 
One of the students invited me to her house to demonstrate my website and materials to about 10 of her friends and neighbors. As an added attraction she cooked some very delicious chile rellenos. 
I also produce lessons that are aired on the local community access television station. So now, people are finding out about the classes by word of mouth. 
The manager of a restaurant wants classes there. 
One new student with an internet connection volunteered to show other students how the website works. 
This approach is what I call community based learning, and not only is very effective, but also is very enjoyable. I am eating a lot better, too! 
I am very interested to find out about similar programs. 
Sincerely, 
Paul Rogers 


Paul Rogers 
805-258-3310 
pumarosa21 at yahoo.com 
PUMAROSA.COM 




Paul Rogers 
805-258-3310 
pumarosa21 at yahoo.com 
PUMAROSA.COM 



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