Translating to Success

    Talking to a computer might not be everyone’s ideal way to learn English, but it works.

Photo by Emily Dougherty

Shereen Fink helps students on their lesson books. During their class on Dec. 12, the students worked on their life stories, answering questions such as, “Where do you live?” “What is your address?” “What is your date of birth?” “Where are you from?” “What is your telephone number?”

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    At its last meeting of 2011, members of Brighton United Methodist Church’s English as a Second Language (ESL) class sat in groups with workbooks or in front of computers with headsets. Though at very different levels, all of the students have the same goal: to learn English.
    Brighton local Shereen Fink has been working with English second language learners in this program since 2004, adding a Rosetta Stone (language-learning computer software) lab and an internship program to her ESL program roster just this year.
    Fink began the program at the Brighton library after responding to an ESL volunteer position advertisement in the Brighton Standard Blade.
    “Soon my students outgrew the program there and I wanted something based on state standards that would reward the students for the time invested in the classes,” Fink said.
    So she began using Oxford University’s Step Forward program, which is based on the standard required by the U.S. Department of Education and Labor for teaching or learning English as a second language.
    After they outgrew the library, Fink’s ESL class moved to Brighton United Methodist Church which recently adopted the program as part of its ministry.
    “In the beginning it was a struggle for me because I tried building my own curriculum,” Fink said. “It was also a challenge to adjust to the ebbs and tides of the class attendance – four to six students to sometimes over 20.”
    The popularity of the program has never been a problem though – which is why this summer Fink added on a Rosetta Stone lab and, most recently, an internship program for adult students to help advance their English skills through applying it in a real-life business environment.
    According to Fink, the addition of Rosetta Stone gives students an environment of self-paced instruction while complimenting the classroom learning and, at the same time, receiving individual confirmation of what they are learning.
Plus, she said, “It particularly helps with pronunciation and it’s the most obvious improvement I notice with the students.”
    Maria Ferrar is the first intern of the program. She will work at Dave Simon Agencies in Brighton for three months, working on the computer with different software programs, scanning, filing, answering the phone and learning about insurance.
    “Speaking is the most difficult,” Ferrar said, though she said she felt comfortable asking for help with insurance questions.
    Ferrar already has a job, plus three boys and a husband who works fulltime. Yet she has already completed more than 75 hours of work for Dave Simon Agencies. Because she is working unpaid, a donation was made to provide her with a small amount of money to cover the intern hours.
    Ferrar was surprised with a check at work Dec. 6.
    In addition to the check, she received a letter of recommendation that she can use to show her skills and experience.
    According to Fink, some students have been in the program for three or four years. At least four students have received their GED. One student has her CNA. Two students are in college. 
    Classes will commence the first week in January with a Tuesday morning Rosetta Stone lab from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and ESL classes Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Evening Rosetta Stone lab is joined with ESL classes on Mondays and Tuesdays from 6-7:30 p.m.
    For more information on the Brighton United Methodist Church ESL program, contact Fink at 303-659-3030 or shereenfink@comcast.net.

Contact Emily Dougherty at 303-659-2522 ext. 223 or edougherty@metrowestnewspapers.com.