This past December, West Shore Community College (WSCC), in partnership with the Oceana Hispanic Center, completed its first-ever Community English course. For their final assignment, 14 ESL (English as a Second Language) students from Oceana County gave 10-minute presentations to small groups of students and staff in the college’s library during finals week. Their presentations relayed their experiences as part of the class and discussed the strategies they used to further their grasp of the English language.
“Everyone at the college is still talking about how successful this first class and experience was,” Administrative Assistant - Student Records for WSCC and Oceana Hispanic Center Director Irma Hinojosa said. “As the area’s Hispanic population has increased, we have been wanting to offer a college-level class to not only help individuals improve their English-speaking abilities, but increase their comprehension, so that they could someday take other college courses.”
The idea of a Community English class actually began back in 2019, Hinojosa said. However, due to the lack of an available instructor followed by the pandemic, the class had to be delayed.
Following graduation in May of 2024, Hinojosa set to work getting the course ready for the college’s fall semester. A list of possible students were contacted, class supplies were purchased with a grant requested by the Oceana Hispanic Center from the Oceana Community Foundation, and an instructor was found who was available to teach in the evenings.
“Our Associate Professor of English, Paula Rolim, was the perfect fit. A Brazilian by birth, English is Rolim’s second language as well. She taught the entire class in English and required her students to speak only English as well. In addition, the college provided an embedded Spanish-speaking tutor who was able to offer translation help when necessary,” Hinojosa said.
The Community English course was designed to provide a safe space where English learners can discuss language strategies and build confidence. One way that was accomplished was by practicing English with native speakers in the community, Rolim explained.
“The whole point of the class was to help non-native English speakers enhance their comprehension and expression skills while connecting with their local community. Throughout the course, we focused on developing vocabulary, pronunciation, reading fluency, grammar, conversation, and presentation skills. During the fall semester, students shared their own stories and those of other community members. In the winter semester, we will continue the blog series, with each student presenting a project they develop to address a specific need or challenge in the community,” Rolim continued.
When asked what they found most helpful or eye-opening as a result of taking the class, student Victor Rodriguez shared that part of the class required students to record themselves reading or speaking their assignments. “We sent them to Professor Rolim on our Canvas account, and she would offer suggestions and corrections,” Rodriguez said. “We made our own flash cards for the words we didn’t know and practiced with each other in class.”
A big part of the class, Rodriguez said, was reading for comprehension and with the appropriate expression. One of the tools Rolim used was to show movie clips in English and have students explain what the characters were talking about.
Another student, Alma Navarrete, added, “I’m shy. The class pushed me to speak more. Everybody was speaking English. It gave me confidence. Not just speaking, but reading, studying, comprehending, and grammar. The class has helped out in everyday life.”
Student Gisela Hernandez confessed, “It was very hard, but a very good experience. I want to say it was a different way to learn. She pushed me to do better.”
“This was the very first English class I’d ever taken,” said Rodriguez. “Before, I just learned it at work. What I needed for my job. The class helped me a lot. I learned a lot of new words and how to talk to others. My supervisor (at work) asked me why I was going; he said, ‘You know English.’ But in my work I have to be able to read instructions (and) fill out paperwork. After the class I feel I can speak more fluently.”
Since the completion of the class, Rodriguez, Navarrete and Hernandez talked about what they are currently doing to continue to improve their English-speaking skills.
“I try to speak English with my little ones. My oldest daughter is 22; she has helped me a lot. I ask her about certain words,” Hernandez said.
“I’m a homemaker and babysitter, so not a lot of practice with adults,” Navarette said. She excitedly took a copy of The Oceana Echo out of her bag that had the press release announcing their final project presentations. “I read The Oceana Echo every week!” she said.
“My supervisor notices a big difference. I’m a fabricator and welder. I want to go to college and get the certification I need,” Rodriguez said.
“The purpose of the class is to give students the confidence to go to the next level and take a college class. After this class, you’re all ready to,” Hinojosa told them. “West Shore is already looking at how to make the class better. Paula’s personality is perfect for this class. She is very engaging and fun. A second class session will be offered for the original 14 students plus two additional students starting Jan. 15, 2025.”
Language learning thrives in meaningful contexts and social interactions. The goal of the Community English course is to create opportunities for students to practice the language while actively contributing to this growing town, said Professor Rolim.
“The(se) students have learned so much and grown as community members. They took the challenge, traveled unknown ground, and in the end were successful and flourished through the process. This class gave them the opportunity to express themselves and bring light to treasured stories and experiences that they shared with the community. I cannot even begin to express how proud I am of each and every one of them. Watching this transition happen was remarkable, and I cannot wait to see what new things they learn and explore in the next class,” Hinojosa shared.
