SAN YSIDRO – Spanish-speaking parents in the San Ysidro School District learned fundamental English skills – alphabet, numbers, how to tell time, days of the week, colors and more – through a free class offered this spring by the District.

Now, following the success of the inaugural English as a Second Language (ESL) class, SYSD will work with partner Southwestern College to offer two introductory English classes this fall at La Mirada and Willow elementary school parent centers, and a second-level ESL class at the District parent center.

“Preparing our children for the future requires schools to work in tandem with parents. Our hope is that these classes will empower parents to become more engaged in their children’s academic careers,” said SYSD Superintendent Dr. Julio Fonseca. “To all the parents that took part in our inaugural ESL class, congratulations on all your hard work and for being such great role models for your children.”

The spring class provided free textbooks to approximately 20 students, who met with their instructor, Fabrizio Piovesan, professor at Southwestern College’s School of Language, Literature and Humanities, three times each week for two-and-a-half hours.

“At Southwestern College, our academic-based ESL program helps non-native English speakers develop skills such as learning how to read, write, listen, understand and speak English, to ensure success in the U.S.,” said Joel M. Levine, Ed.D., Dean at Southwestern College’s School of Language, Literature and Humanities. “We were honored the San Ysidro School District saw the value of our program and wanted to offer our classes on their campus.”

Cecilia Gomez, a parent in the inaugural ESL class, said Piovesan “stimulated us to speak, but we need more practice.”

Other students in the class joked that their favorite part of class was learning “adjectives and pronouns.”

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SYSD_ESL_1: Participants in San Ysidro’s first ESL class – seen on the first day of class with Southwestern College professor Fabrizio Piovesan – learned the English alphabet, numbers, how to tell time, days of the week, colors and more this spring.