St Pius X ESL Program
By Fernando Galindo
The English as a Second Language (ESL) program at St. Pius X Catholic Church began in the fall of 2000, under the coordination of Mary H. Sackhoff, with a group of more than 40 volunteer parishioners. They quickly saw the need for our Latino parishioners to learn English. The popular program began with 50 students the first year.
Presently, the program serves up to 200 students annually from many different countries: Latino or Hispanic from Mexico, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Colombia, and Peru, along with people from Korea, Japan, South Africa, and Iran. The program is sponsored by our parish and has evolved into a fully-functioning, English as a Second Language program, equal to any being taught at local colleges.
The purpose of the program is to help immigrants learn our language to enrich their lives in our country and to perform better at their workplace. We have developed a curriculum for levels ranging from Basic Beginning English to Advanced Reading and Writing.
As Catholics, we are called to bring about "Social Justice" in our community, by helping those in need to become more confident and able to provide for themselves, without requiring a handout from others to be able to succeed.
The ESL program is not limited to St. Pius X parishioners—it's open to the local community as well. It is a perfect program for community outreach and social justice. Just by word of mouth, we are well known regionally. Rock Creek Community College refers students to our program when they do not have enough space.
Volunteers are needed to teach or assist in our ESL program. Speaking a language other than English is not required, nor is a teaching background necessary. A desire to teach basic English to non-English-speaking adults is the primary requirement. We provide textbooks, and a teacher's orientation program scheduled for August 13 from 9-11 am is required for new volunteers. Adult students attend classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7-8:30 pm. Volunteers need only to select one evening to teach or assist. Classes begin September 6, 2011 and will end in March 2012.
We are located at 1280 NW Saltzman Rd. For more information or to become a volunteer, please email Dolores Colombo at deeted@comcast.net or Fernando Galindo at 503-644-5264 X126, fgalindo@stpiusx-pdx.org
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