Fort Wayne Community Schools’ Continuing Education Department will celebrate the accomplishments of nearly 350 students at Tuesday, May 30, at the English Literacy Certificate Ceremony.
The adult students come from around the world. For the ceremony, many students will wear their native dress and flags representing the students’ first country will decorate the stage.
Continuing Education serves hundreds students who are new to the English language, and those who complete various levels of learning the language are invited to participate in the certificate program. Students’ abilities range from mastering basic English-language skills, such as recognizing and writing the alphabet, to mastering enough of the language to meet most survival needs and social demands.
“Within Fort Wayne Community Schools there are approximately 70 languages represented so it is not surprising that we see a diverse population in our adult ELL program,” said Pat Boles, Continuing Education Manager. “This celebration is an opportunity to recognize adult learners for taking on the challenge of learning English. It is also a time to celebrate their heritage and learn more about their native lands.”
Students have attended ELL classes for two hours a day, five days a week since August to enhance their English language skills in reading, writing and speaking. The classes are also an opportunity to transition to the Fort Wayne community by learning about the culture and history of the United States. Students come to the classes for many reasons: to speak English to get a better job; to help study for citizenship; to talk to community members, including doctors and their children’s teachers; to get into college and post-secondary institutions; and for personal growth and enjoyment. The classes provide a vital service for the community and are free to all who wish to improve their English skills.
The event will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 30, in the auditorium of the FWCS Career Academy at Anthis, 1200 S. Barr St. For more information on enrollment, contact Continuing Education at 467-1060.
