"Unity through English language"
Gloucester Daily
Times, editorial, April 13, 2006, p. B6, staff writer
The
path to success in America, as generations of immigrants
have learned, has to include fluency in English.
And in Gloucester, Action
Inc. is about to make that path to success a bit easier.
The local nonprofit will sponsor three classes in
English, starting in September, for residents with
children in the school system or their extended
families.
But for those looking for
a jump-start, Gloucester High School will host a pilot
program, starting at the end of this month and
continuing through the end of June. Those interested can
sign up April 26 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the high school
atrium or at other locations around the city.
The classes should assist
both parents and their children. While children get
English instruction in school, some of them don't hear
it at home. Their parents are also unable to help with
schoolwork because they can't read the assignments.
There are long-term
implications to that language barrier. As students get
older, their attendance drops, and they are more likely
to drop out. The financial disparity can be staggering.
A recent study by the Massachusetts Institute for a New
Commonwealth found that immigrants with good English
skills earned an average of $38,526 a year, while those
who don't speak English averaged little more than $9,000
a year.
The 64 students at
Gloucester High whose native language is not English
come from countries including Albania, Brazil, the Czech
Republic, the Dominican Republic, India, Italy, Poland,
Portugal and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.
That variety of ethnic
backgrounds is one of the things that has made this
country strong. But that diversity must be united by a
common language if immigrants want to make the most of
the opportunities America offers.
Action Inc. should be
commended for helping to make that unity possible.
_____
"To help immigrant students,
high school will teach English to parents"
Gloucester Daily Times article 4/12/06
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