esl

Breaking Down Language Barriers: Empowering Immigrants Through Communication

Breaking Down Language Barriers: Empowering Immigrants Through Communication

by Veronica Garcia, Refugee Education Director


Language is one of the biggest challenges faced by immigrants and refugees when they arrive in a new country. It affects almost every aspect of their lives, from finding employment to accessing healthcare, forming social connections, and even completing basic tasks like grocery shopping or understanding public transportation. At Mission Adelante, we recognize that breaking down these language barriers is crucial to helping newcomers thrive in their new communities.

Our ESL classes are more than just an educational program; they are a place where immigrants and refugees can build community. Learning a new language in a supportive environment allows them to connect with others who are facing similar challenges, creating a sense of belonging. Friendships are formed, support systems are built, and students encourage one another to keep pushing forward, even when the lessons feel difficult.

The Role of Volunteers in Breaking Down Language Barriers

Our dedicated volunteers play a vital role in this process. Many of them come from the greater Kansas City area and work one-on-one with students, offering guidance, encouragement, and practical language. The connections formed between students and volunteers often go beyond the classroom, fostering a deeper sense of community integration. Thankful is an understatement when I think about the impact of our ESL volunteers, past and present! 

Volunteers help personalize the learning experience, addressing individual challenges students may face and ensuring that each person has the support they need to succeed.

Mission Adelante is continuing to expand our ESL programs and offering accessible language support. We aim to equip every immigrant and refugee in our community with the tools they need to flourish.

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next trimester?

How can you help?

  • Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.

  • Volunteer – Come to our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

  • Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.

First of all, how about them Chiefs? 

My First Trimester Reflections and Celebrations! 

by Veronica Garcia, Refugee Services Manager

My first trimester on staff at Mission Adelante flew by. I cannot believe it is over already. I am so thankful for the opportunity to create a program where students can come to learn English and practice with the volunteers. I want to personally thank the volunteers that have contributed their time and creativity to this inaugural trimester of Refugee ESL: Mary, Lindsay, Jill, Larry, Amy, Laura, and Morgan. The students came back each week for you! Thank you. 

From October until the end of November, we had 8 lessons that focused on practical English. Each lesson, we had multiple components: reading, writing, movement, and active conversation. I wanted to make sure to emphasize all of these components because of the different language backgrounds we had in the class. 

We only had a few students this trimester, but boy, was it a lot of fun! Having this first trimester with a small class really allowed all of the students and volunteers to really get to know each other on a deeper level. 

As for Citizenship, we had a great trimester as well. We were getting calls of interest almost every week. I am confident we will have a lot of new students and returning students in January. 

On a super exciting note, I want to congratulate Marcela for passing her Citizenship test! She had been working with one of the volunteers, Laura, one-on-one the past few weeks to really prepare for her test and interview. 

We had some rockstar volunteers for Citizenship: Karen, Morgan, Jim, Debbie, Emma, Geraldina, Mary, Laura, Elliot, and Rachel in our beginners class; and Dean and Carlie leading our intermediate group! This group of volunteers are motivated and committed to helping students accomplish their goals of becoming a citizen.

At Mission Adelante this season, our theme is to celebrate. I am celebrating that my transition onto staff was smooth and even smoother with the volunteers. Everyone has been so welcoming and kind as I learned the ropes of running programs. I am celebrating that while Refugee ESL was small, it was successful. The students have emphasized that this class has really helped them gain confidence in speaking English and they are excited to return in January! I am celebrating that Marcela passed her Citizenship test! Thank you for celebrating with me. The ESL department has a lot planned for 2023, so stay tuned. I am looking forward to what the new year will bring and what else we can accomplish together.