Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
ESL students get a college lesson
UPPER MERION » Upper Merion Area School District has been partnering with West Chester University for the last 10 years in providing support to students whose first language is not English, and who are in the process of becoming proficient in English for academic and social purposes.
On Nov. 14, 2017, 83 English learners in grades five through eight, along with several parents and teachers, as well as 12 volunteer university students in the education field, traveled to the West Chester University campus for a guided tour and workshop with a professor, with the objective of making college a “real” and “tangible” achievable goal for ELs as opposed to an abstract and elusive “dream.” Dean Francis Atuahene, out of the Office of Undergraduate and Student Support Services, provided the funding for the event, with the support of administrative assistant, Andria Young.
Linguistically and culturally diverse students tend to be among students who most who face significant obstacles in achieving a university degree — there is the obvious challenge of learning a second language proficiently for academic success.
Ninety five percent of this year’s cohort of middleschoolers are considered economically disadvantaged — some due to “starting over,” having re-located from their home countries while families were also economically disadvantaged in before coming to the U.S. Furthermore, less than 20 percent of the English learners have a family member who has attained a university degree, and these degrees were obtained in foreign educational systems which are dissimilar to the American system of higher education.
Fifth and sixth grade students were treated to an animated and interactive presentation in the planetarium by Dr. Marc Gagne, while students in grades seven and eight saw the screening of the film “I Learn America,” with a discussion facilitated by Dr. Innhwa Park.
Students were treated to lunch in the cafeteria in Lawrence, and were overwhelmed by all the delicious gastronomic options. The experience on campus was concluded by a workshop given by Ms. Diane, D’Arcangelo and Ms. Katelyn Shellaway through the Career Development Center, where students had the opportunity to explore how their talents and interests intersect with majors and
possible careers, followed by a friendly competitive game that asked students to guess the college majors of well-known figures in the United States.
Being on campus that day — which was alive with the many exciting activities and experiences that universities offer young people — made an impact on all the students, but especially on English learners who will be the first to go to college in their families.
In their post-trip reflections, one English language learner remarked, “I know I need to work hard to get there, but I don’t want to miss out on going to college. It will make my family and my life better!”