English Skills Learning Center

The ESLC's vision is to bring the promise of integration, security, and empowerment to adult English language learners. Here is a story about one of our students that reflects that vision: 

 

Abderamine Ali Alamine is a young man originally from Sudan. He moved to the US in August of 2014. Immediately after moving to Utah, Ali started taking the Job Readiness English class at the DWS Metro Office. The class went from September to November 2014.

Ali’s caseworker said that when she first started meeting with Ali, he didn’t have the confidence in his English ability to speak to her. He asked for a translator every time they spoke. Within a few weeks of taking the Job Readiness English class, she could tell a huge difference in his confidence level. At a meeting they had about a month into the class, the caseworker had arranged for an interpreter, but Ali turned down the offer. He said he no longer needed an interpreter to speak to her.

Ali found the class to be very helpful to him. He had studied some English at his refugee camp in Sudan, but wasn’t confident using it. He also had no idea about what the process was like to find and keep a job in the US. Ali found a lot of benefit from the practice in the classroom with filling out applications, answer job interview questions, and how to communicate with coworkers. “Before this class I didn’t know anything about how to find a job. Now I know how to communicate and work and fill out an application. Today I had a job interview and I knew how to answer the questions.”

Ali had an interview and got a job at Village Inn. He continues working there while he is taking advanced English classes at Salt Lake Community College. He plans to study social work when he finishes the English classes. He hopes to become a caseworker to help other refugees.

 

 

By donating to the ESLC you will help us reach more students who cannot attend other ESL programs in the Greater Salt Lake area and assist us to better support our volunteers.