The Duncan Banner

Local News

June 29, 2012

Adults learn English through ELL

Derrick Miller The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Some students are receiving more help on their homework because their parents are learning English.

Maria Martinez, Duncan Public Schools interpreter and Woodrow Wilson Elementary teacher, spent the last four weeks teaching non-English speaking parents the language to help them better assist their children in becoming better learners.

“My objective is to get parents more involved in student learning,” Martinez said. “They’re learning the skills to read and write.”

Martinez, who just completed her fifth year in Duncan, has been the district interpreter since she taught fourth grade at Mark Twain Elementary. She transferred to Woodrow Wilson from Mark Twain two years ago.

The adult English Language Learners program corresponds with the Summer Academy summer school program and it lasts four weeks during the summer. This was the second year the district offered the program to parents.

The program began with a small group, but grew until about 30 parents were attending the adult ELL class. Martinez said the adults were much like her fourth- and fifth-grade students in that they showed up ready to learn.

“Really, it isn’t much of a difference,” Martinez said. “They’re eager to learn. They ask questions.

“It’s great knowing I can make a difference in their children’s lives through them.”

She said the adult ELL program has impacted the lives of many of her parental students in the past year.

“I’ve gotten a great response,” Martinez said. “I’ve had two moms go out and find jobs. They’re not as timid to speak up. They don’t want to stop learning. They want to get better.”

She said the class instills more confidence in the parents and gives them a way to better help their children in their class lessons. Martinez has made herself available to work with the parents outside of class by providing them with her phone number.

And she’s not just helping them with their children’s classwork. She is aiding them when they need to know how to say something.

“I’m available for them,” Martinez said. “I have conferences with them so they know what they can do to make their child’s learning easier and what they can do to help.”

By having summer school in session during the adult ELL program, Martinez has access to several classroom resources she can use to suit the parents’ needs.

“I have resources already available,” Martinez said. “I tweak them to meet their needs.”

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