ESL Program

I started attending classes at Crafton Hills College in 2022. I remember the first time I was on campus. I had many feelings, such as being intimidated, nervous, and excited because I was there to study and learn English. I was taking the first step to reach my goals, which was to enroll in the class and to start my journey, so I can understand when other people talk to me in English, read a school report with my son, make a doctor’s appointment, and write paragraphs. My professor provided an environment rich in materials, discussion, and practice where I was not scared to make mistakes. Her class helped me to improve my skills and helped me to be more confident in my writing, reading, and speaking skills. This confidence helped me take other general ed and Child Development classes. I will graduate next year with my Associate's Degree in Child Development and want to continue my journey at California State University of San Bernardino. I recommend the ESLN program to everyone who is reading my story. I learned everything in life is possible with dedication and the support of our loved ones.

-Darlene

I started attending ESLN 601 class in Fall of 2021 because I wanted to improve my writing and reading skills. This class helped me a lot to continue learning English because my first language is Spanish. In Spring 2022, I enrolled in ESLN 602. At the same time, I started other classes like Anthropology and Dance because I was feeling more comfortable with myself. In  Fall of 2022, I enrolled  in ESLN 603 class and decided to take English 101 too. Taking both classes at the same time helped me complete them. Taking ENG 101 was a big challenge in trusting myself, and I was lucky I had classmates in that class who were very nice. They helped me  understand my assignments and corrected me when I was wrong.  By the time I took ESLN 604, I felt very confident, so I decided to enroll in other classes too. I have already completed 7 classes and I continue to work on my Associates Degree in Computer Information Systems. Completing the four courses of ESLN is helping me reach my goals.

-Nancy

I was at a point in my life where I felt stuck in my personal and professional development. I also experienced stigma as an immigrant and ESL learner in this country. I found myself in an interior battle to find the courage to hop out of my comfort zone to reach for my goals.

Once I got brave enough to enroll in ESLN 601 in 2021, my life expectations grew like never before. I have the privilege to say that I was part of the first ESLN pilot class! Our teacher supported us emotionally and academically. I saw improvement in my reading and writing skills as well as in my self-confidence. As a result, in just the three months of taking classes, I got a better position at my workplace! After that, I became a substitute teacher for the 23-24 school year in Beaumont Unified School District. I’ll never regret taking ESLN courses at Crafton Hills College.

- Jaquelin

When I started my ESLN classes at Crafton Hills College, I had arrived in the United States 4 years before and two of those years were spent in the midst of the pandemic. Therefore, it was a gift to be able to take these classes and interact with my classmates and teacher. Although I was able to read technical English, as I’ve been a professor in Brazil, my country, I had great difficulty with the language. During the ESLN classes, I felt welcomed and was able to expose my insecurities about learning a new language as an adult. This welcoming space, then, enabled my learning process to be triggered. My instructor created a no-pressure, playful, relaxed, and friendly environment for learning. The experience in the ESLN Program at Crafton Hills College was crucial in encouraging me to take the Freshman Composition – English 101 classes, where I was able to further develop my writing skills and understand the U.S. culture. Without a doubt, the ESLN program at Crafton Hills College gave me self-confidence and a solid foundation in the English language, as well as a positive outlook for the job market. Today I am a tutor in Writing and Social Sciences at the same institution. I can only be grateful for being a student in Crafton Hills College's ESLN program and for the way it creates a welcoming and understanding space for immigrants like me.

-Keila