June 22, 2009 issue
Demand grows for English classes run by Elkhart churches
By Emily Dougherty For Mennonite Weekly ReviewELKHART, Ind. — English as a Second Language classes here that began with two people in 1997 are now overflowing.
Mary Lackore of Prairie Street Mennonite Church in Elkhart leads an English as a Second Language class with students, who preferred not to be named, June 11 at Prairie Street. — Photo by Emily Dougherty/MWR
There are 110 students in the current session — which runs April 14-July 2 — of the classes, organized by a committee of Mennonite churches. The number of interested students in April was so high they had to turn away more than 20 people.
The increase may be the result of the economic downturn, according to some members of the Elkhart Area Hispanic Partners Committee, composed of representatives from six Mennonite congregations.
“If you’re unemployed, you have more time on your hands,” said Sueann VonGunten of Hively Avenue Mennonite Church, co-chair of the committee. “Learning how to speak English helps our students with communicating and securing jobs.”
The unemployment rate in the Elkhart-Goshen area is among the nation’s highest at nearly 20 percent, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Since that figure only includes those who are actively looking for jobs, the real percentage may be higher.
The committee reacted to the growing interest in classes by campaigning throughout Elkhart County to find more volunteer teachers. As a result, they added two classes for a total of eight classes in four levels.
They now have 14 teachers and four substitute teachers teaching the classes Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Prairie Street Mennonite Church.
The students are 18 to 60 years old. Most come from Mexico or Central and South American countries, VonGunten said. On rare occasions they have a non-Spanish speaker as well, she said.
They don’t ask whether students have legal immigration documents, she said.
“They’re our neighbors, and they want to learn,” she said. “Building community and fostering peace is getting to know our neighbors.”
Comment on the article Demand grows for English classes run by Elkhart churches
The purpose of comments is to engage in dialogue. We expect commenters to treat authors and each other as each would want to be treated. Respectful criticism is welcomed; offensive comments or parts of comments will be removed by the site administrator. Name and comment will be posted; email address is for follow-up only and will not be made public.
Download
Download a free PDF showing the populations of
Mennonite groups and other Anabaptists.
