English as a Second Language class culminates for the summer

CHELAN – After spending 35 years in Latin America as missionaries, Tom and Ellen Dunbar took on another mission by starting the English as a Second Language (ESL) class in Chelan nearly seven years ago with the help of other church members.

When the couple arrived in Chelan, they immediately saw the large Hispanic community in need after seeing that so many of them didn’t know English. “It just said to me there’s something you can do,” explained Tom.  From there Tom, along with other church members, decided they all wanted to do something for their fellow Hispanic community.

An ESL class seemed to be the way to help many of them out. With the sponsorship of the Living Stone Church, the group set the date and gathered enough materials to teach 10 people to begin with. Little did they know that 40 people were going to show up on the first day of class, leaving them with no option but to scramble for some more books.

After one year of teaching ESL during the months of October through April, they realized that the time wasn’t working out for many of the ESL students. “The workers in the orchards couldn’t get away from work, so the next year we started the first of November and went all the way through March,” explained Tom.

The ESL program started in Chelan; however, the volunteer teachers realized that the majority of their students were from Manson. A volunteer teacher suggested starting a class in Manson to accommodate those living there. The ESL class in Manson then began to be offered at North Shore Bible Church on Monday and Wednesday nights. Later the group found out that some people could not meet at night because of their work schedule, so they started an afternoon class which continues to be held at the Lake Chelan Public Library.

Between the three centers, 50 to 60 students get registered each year with an average attendance of 20 in Chelan and 15 in Manson. In Chelan, the classes are taught on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the evenings at Chelan Valley Hope.

Altogether there are 21 volunteer teachers working with the students at different levels. One of the major philosophies of the program is to build relationships, “even if they do not get the exact English we want a relationship,” said Tom. Bob Meyers started teaching ESL from day one and has enjoyed it ever since. “I really enjoy the people whom I’ve meet … I really like the people I meet, it's not just a one-sided thing these friends of mine, they really are my friends,” Meyers said.
The program also has a spiritual portion dedicated at the end of each class which students have reacted to in a positive manner.

Last Thursday, March 28, the last class of the year took place. Students took a test to show how much they have learned over the five-month class season. Students and teachers celebrated the culmination of the class by eating pizza and gave thanks for the relationships created. The evening was completed when Tom handed out certificates to the students. The following people received certificates of completion and will be moving to the next level: Hilda Rodriguez, Juan Luis Moreno, Maria Rosas, M. Guadalupe Rosas, Maria Guadalupe Sanchez, Olivia Rico, M. del Rosario Barrera, Virma Hernandez and Yesenia Rodriguez.

Adelina Mendoza, Alondra Serrato, Ana Alvarez, Beatriz Orozco, M. Candelaria Luna, M. del Carmen Martinez, Ana Carolina Mendoza, Cristina Mendoza Ortega, Elizabeth Gallardo, Flavio Portillo, Gerbacio Cortez, Jesus Hernandez, Jose Alejandro Sanchez, Luna Argote, Marthell Nva, Rafael Castañeda, Rosalinda Martinez, Teresa Gloria Martinez, Veronica Alvarez, Edgar Zavala and Yaniz Correa.
received certificates for their participation in the program.

More than 100 people have received a certificate from the ESL over the past years. The program will be on hold for the summertime and will start back up in November of 2019.