Re: Current Programs

2008-03-03T23:50:33Z

Thanks for your post. I am excited to hear about your successful new ESL program for children and parents and your partnership with your local Headstart.

Scheduling for computer classes in Spanish is hard. I wonder if there is any possibility of capitalizing on your already successful parent/child programs. I have heard of successful library programs that allow kids and parents to learn the basics together - this helps to resolve the childcare issue.

Would you recommend the Sesame ESL DVD series to other libraries interested in starting a similar program? Any other resources you would recommend?

Laura

Current Programs

2008-02-28T00:02:32Z

Our library is in Texas and we have a growing Hispanic population. We recently started an ESL program on Saturdays for preschool children and their parents. We use as a base the Sesame ESL DVD series, and plan a curriculum using some of the elements from the series. There are also nursery rhymes, songs and homework sheets for the parents to use. Attendance varies from 20 to 8. Attendees appear to enjoy the programs. The decision to provide this type of programming was based on conversations with the administrators of the local Head Start. They said that not all children who qualified were admitted to their programs because they did not have teachers and space for all the kids. About 500 children are not getting the needed services.
We have the computer classes in Spanish as well as in English. The attendance is not very good, and it is difficult to find a time when adults can attend without having childcare options, or interference with their work schedules.
On Monday nights we have Spanish-language story time which has an attendance of about 10 children and their families. Crafts, stories and cookies draw a loyal following in this small town. We are fortunate to have 2 full-time and 1 part-time staff who are fluent in Spanish.