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Show 18 — For the week of September 26, 2008 ST. GEORGE NEIGHBORHOODS The Spectrum — www.thespectrum.com English classes flourish with eager students then I need to a Se Guancin said. “My goal is to improve my English? VAN DEUSEN. alyson@thespectrum.com ST’ GEORGE — On Wednesday evening, Jorge’ Rolando Guancin walked into a classroom on the Dixie State College campus and started the opening exercise forclass. _ Linda Galloway, the teacher, had written three sentences on the board with mistakes in them, and it was the students’ responsibility to correct them. Guancin is just one of approximately 187 adult students who spend their evenings in the classroom learning English. “TfI want to get a better job, The English courses are offered through. the Washingto mn County School District's Adult Education program, that also includes Southwest High School and the education program at Purgatory Correctional Facility. While many “of the os dents speak Spanish as their first language, other primary languages include Burmese, Romanian, Ukrainian, Chinese, and Thai, said Steve Christensen, an instructor and leader in the English for Speakers of Other Languages program. Guancin is in* the ENING WHIT iden ~TEETH Feel Conf & Empowerted advanced English course where students perfect their “reading, writing and grammar, Galloway said. Galloway doesn't speak Spanish, which means her Mondaythrough Wednesday class is conducted entirely in English. “T really love it’ she said before her class began. “It’s the ideal situation because _ everybody comes on their own free will. They'll do extra work, and they're eager to ask questions.’ Last Wednesday, Galloway's students corrected their sentences, then broke into small groups to discuss the differences in similar pictures on the board. Christopher Onstott/ St. George Neighborhoods Janaina Jensen, left, and Praneed Poffer use words from English — their non-native language — to describe different objects After the groups and class conversation, she reviewed the present perfect tense. Downstairs, a much larger beginning class was also learning English from instructor Philip Moore. Moore was teaching students about different times of day. “Buenos noche, good displayed on the overhead-projector during an advanced ESL class last week in St. George. night; Moore said. The class would repeat the English phrases in unison. The English for Speakers of Other Languages program, or ESOL, is funded through legislative funds and federal grant money, said Nelda Kissinger, Adult Education director. Kissinger’s budget for as He in just 20 minutes 0000001293, C50, Plumbin«e | » REMODEL WORK: NEW CONSTRUCT Ion | .* FURNACE REPAIRS & INSTALLATION * WATER HEATER * DRAIN CLEANING * WATER SOFTENER & REVERSE OSMOSIS Licensed & Insured ——_ You Southern U— § io —zanane At | t 'S ; f 67. i | ————— Labor (COD) all the programs in Adult Education is approximately $350,000, she said. Each student enrolled in the ESOL program is also charged $40 for the school year to participate, Kissinger said. The director said the English coursesarea ‘perfect fit” for Adult Education. Kissinger said the latest data reported approximately 12 percent of Washington County residents self-identify themselves as nonEnglish speakers. Beginning, _ intermediate, and advanced courses are offered on Monday and Wednesday, and additional beginning courses are offered Tuesday and Thursday, she said. “If we had unlimited resources, we could probably run it every night of the week,’ Kissinger said. All students are required o show proof of residency before they can take class, she said. Galloway said one of the largest obstacles for her students is fossilization, where an incorrect form of English has become a habit that’s e See ENGLISH on pg. 20 |