The project is called the Empowering English Language Learners in Branch County initiative and the school hopes to provide these classes in the city of Coldwater, Michigan.
Kellogg Community College’s Lifelong Learning Department has received a Community Good Grant from the Branch County Community Foundation to establish its Empowering English Language Learners in Branch County project. The project will provide free classes to English language learners in order to boost the English proficiency of Branch County.
According to an article on Kellogg Community College’s website, Casey Fairley, the director of the Lifelong Learning Department, was quoted as saying of the project’s purpose, “The Empowering English Language Learners project aims to provide classes that will enhance the English language skills of Branch County’s limited English proficiency community members who possess a basic understanding of English. By investing in language education, we contribute to equitable health care and successful integration into financial and educational systems. Together, we can bridge language gaps and empower our community members.”
The Lifelong Learning Department plans to pilot the Empowering English Language Learners program beginning in January and expects it will last throughout 2025, with an expected 100 learners taking part in the program. The aim is to provide lessons that will help English learners become proficient enough in the language to feel confident as they navigate doctor appointments, meetings with financial institutions, education, and more, with the hope that it will help the community in general feel more welcoming.
Fairley said, “By focusing on these essential areas, the program seeks to empower learners, making them more self-reliant and comfortable in their interactions within the community. This increased confidence is expected to translate into better integration and participation in various aspects of daily life, ultimately leading to a more inclusive and supportive community environment.”
The Empowering English Language Learners classes will be held on Kellogg Community College’s Grahl Center campus in Coldwater.
For more information about Kellogg Community College, visit the school’s website.