ROCHELLE – In the United States of America, English is the most common spoken language in the country, but for many people living in the country and in the community it’s not their first language.
This was the case for the students presenting their stories in Rosie Arteaga’s English as a Second Language course.
Students of all ages enrolled in the language course gathered at Lincoln Elementary School last Thursday to present their final projects to their teachers and fellow students.
“Adults, just like kids, learn the same. They can talk about what is familiar to them,” said Arteaga, Lincoln teacher and course instructor. “So, everybody is presenting where they are from, everybody has a story.”
The students in the class all have different levels of English language experience. Some have never spoken a word of English before, while others have already memorized the basics. But no matter their experience, there is always more to learn.

“We have been learning the English language for three to four months,” said Arteaga. “Including the codes, site words, phonogram sounds, and everything that unlocks the key to the English language. But we probably just hit the surface.”
Arteaga decided to get involved teaching the English language to people when she had friends who were taking classes, but were getting left behind in their particular classes. Registration numbers indicate there is a need for the class in the community, with enrollment reaching as high as 30 students at one point.
The obvious benefit from the course is learning the language, but the process instills more than a new language in the students.
“I became a teacher later in life, so I am a true believer that it is all in the power of your own motivation and desire,” said Arteaga. “You can accomplish anything realistic if you put your mind to it.”
After learning new parts of the English language, students are encouraged to go out and practice. Arteaga tells students that if they don’t use it, then it is going to waste and they will lose it. For some, this is their first time speaking to people in English.
“Good, but a little rough,” is how Celia Mayor, a student in the course, described her experience.
The students taking the course put in months of hard work to learn the language, but in the end Arteaga believes everyone enjoys learning environment.
“I enjoy this class, we have a good teacher and group participation,” said Sandra Gonzalez, a fellow student in the course.
The students have learned many new things in the few months the course took place, and their teacher hopes they will continue to practice and improve their language skills.
“I hope that they continue and dominate the English language, becoming bi-lingual here in America,” Arteaga concluded.