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Thousands of Indiana citizens are going back to the classroom to learn the basics of language, from vocabulary to sentence construction. But this time, they are studying Spanish instead of English.
As Indiana’s Hispanic/Latino population grows, schools, businesses, government and social service agencies, as well as individual citizens, are challenged to communicate with our new Spanish-speaking residents. Spanish-language classes are becoming more common across the state as communities recognize the importance of bilingual skills in a multicultural society.
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| Latino students attend classes through Plaza Comunitarias, a joint program between Purdue International Extension and Mexico, at a Latino learning center in Frankfort, Ind. |
In 2000, the Learning Network of Clinton County, a partnership with Purdue Extension, began offering conversational Spanish to help citizens overcome the language barrier. Classes were also customized for specific professions. To date, more than 1,000 community residents have taken the classes, including Betty Ramos, Frankfort, Ind., and Dave Myers, Lebanon, Ind.
In their own words
“Being able to speak some Spanish enables me to more personally relate to patients at my husband’s dental practice. I’m also a nurse, and I help out at Frankfort’s Open Door Clinic, which helps low-income and uninsured patients. For our Spanish-speaking patients, it’s helpful for us to be able to ask them what the problem is and where it hurts, as well as give instructions for follow-up care.
“At the dental practice, I have taught a few words in Spanish to the staff. It helps patients—especially children—to feel more comfortable when they hear a language that they recognize.”
Betty Ramos, Ramos Dental Clinic, Frankfort, Ind.
“Through years of working with Hispanic agricultural workers in my job at Perdue Farms, I picked up some words in Spanish specific to the job—easy words, such as “huevos” for “eggs.” I could communicate on the job in broken form but could never talk to someone on the street.
“Through the Spanish language classes, I learned the necessary vocabulary and sentence structure to communicate in a way that all Hispanics can understand. I use these skills daily, and I’m much more confident in my abilities. Not only can I communicate my instructions to the workers, I can better understand what they are saying to me. As a result, our working relationship has really grown. When they know that you’ve taken the time to learn their language, they are more loyal and willing to work hard for you.”
Dave Myers, Perdue Farms, Lebanon, Ind.
Latino learning centers help immigrants with language, job skills
A 67-year-old woman who had never attended a day of school in her native Mexico became the first person to graduate from one of Indiana’s four Latino Community Learning Centers established in 2005 by Purdue University International Extension.
During the program’s first year, 173 Latinos enrolled in courses, including English literacy, job skill development and computers, at the centers located in Indianapolis, Frankfort, Albion and Washington.
In addition to classroom education courses for students, the learning centers provide on-site training for managers from several agribusinesses with significant numbers of Latino employees.
The centers are a partnership among Purdue International Extension, the government of Mexico and one of Mexico’s leading technology schools.
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