For the past two weeks, 90 students have been dancing, singing,
acting and improving their English skills all at the same time.
For the past two weeks, 90 students have been dancing, singing, acting and improving their English skills all at the same time.
Instead of just offering remedial summer school for English Language Learner students who couldn’t pass their classes, the Hollister School District Migrant Education Program created a system that enriches their education.
“A lot of these students are shy because they’re not too confident in their English, and this allows them to express themselves,” Teacher Rosa Apodaca said. “I am amazed to see what progress they have made in the past few weeks.”
The enrichment program, which is funded through a federal grant, offers migrant education students, who earned C’s or above, a chance to participate in theater arts for the summer and practice their English.
“Most of their parents speak Spanish, so having them in an environment where they’re practicing their English is good for them,” Apodaca said.
Along with learning about stage presence, singing and acting, the enrichment class helps the students with English comprehension, practicing words like right, left, up and down.
“These words sound basic, but when you’re learning another language you’d be surprised how you hear these words but don’t understand them,” Apodaca said.
At the end of the three week course, the students will have learned and performed the “Wizard of Oz” for their parents. Props, costumes and acting guidance is coming from Janette Miller, of the Hollister Rainbow Children’s Theater. The theater is currently performing the play, and is volunteering its time to help the students, ranging from second to fifth-grade, learn.
“It’s a great way to build these kids’ confidence in public speaking and being on stage,” Miller said.
Cristal Medina, 11, is playing “Glenda the Good Witch,” and said she’s so glad she got involved with the enrichment program.
“I have never really tried acting before but now that I have, I really, really like it,” she said.
Even though many of the students are practicing their English, Apodaca said, many of the parents only speak Spanish. But that shouldn’t be a problem when they come to see the students perform.
“I think it’s time for them to see what their children can do, and if they see the kids speaking English well in just three weeks, then maybe it will inspire them to learn,” she said.
The program will finish Aug. 1, and because of its success, HSD is already looking for ways of funding a second year.
