Literacy Network continues free Spanish and English courses for local parents

 Starting this Thursday, Literacy Network, a local literacy advocacy group, will continue its partnership with the Madison Metropolitan School District to offer free Spanish and English classes for district parents.

The program, called the English in the Schools Program, began five years ago as a way to help parents of bilingual students improve their English skills. Since then, EIS has expanded to include Spanish classes for parents of native English speaking students taking bilingual classes.

This spring, EIS will hold classes in five local elementary schools—Midvale, Glendale, Leopold, Lindbergh and Orchard Ridge. Spanish and English courses will be offered twice a week throughout most of the semester, with the first course kicking off tonight at Midvale from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

During the courses, volunteer teachers trained by the Literacy Network lead the classroom of adult English language learners in improving their skills and understanding of a variety of school topics, including registration forms, classroom vocabulary and school activities.

Spanish learners work on improving basic grammar skills and vocabulary focused on topics like school and family.

Of the two language classes, English remains more popular, having served 180 English language learners last year. The course enforces an English-only policy to accommodate learners from any language background.

While more people attend English classes, Melissa Noe of Literacy Network said both language classes are complimentary to the district’s Dual Language Immersion program, which teaches elementary students courses in primarily Spanish, with English as an additional language. The district also supports a bilingual charter school, Nuestro Mundo, on the far east side.

For parents who have children in these programs, EIS courses are particularly useful, she said.

Minetta Coblings, the EIS coordinator for Literacy Network, said the program also offers free childcare, which helps bring parents in for lessons after school.

Coblings said she has heard feedback from parents excited about their ability to navigate a parent/teacher conference without a translator after taking the literacy classes. Their improved language skills are useful in other situations as well.

“Parents have talked about going to the doctor and not needing an interpreter for that, and they feel very empowered,” she said.

To register for a class or to learn more, visit the Literacy Network website.