Since the start of the school year, Denver Public Schools (DPS) has welcomed nearly 4,000 new students from immigrant families, primarily from migrant families settling in the Denver area. Alongside this influx of young learners, DPS has witnessed a surge in interest from adults seeking to enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. Many of these adults, like Gino Contreras and his family from Venezuela, have come to the U.S. seeking asylum and opportunities for a better life.
Gino Contreras, a lawyer by profession, emphasized the political turmoil and danger in his home country as the reason for their move to the U.S. Determined to make a fresh start, he immediately secured three jobs and enrolled in ESL classes to enhance his ability to communicate with colleagues. His wife, Leticia Silva, and daughter, Gilnia Contreras, have also joined him in taking ESL classes.
According to DPS, the number of adults enrolled in ESL classes has surpassed 650, prompting the addition of an extra morning class specifically designed for newcomers with limited English proficiency. ESL teacher Michael Ard attributes this increase to the growing number of migrant families settling in Denver.
Gilnia Contreras, who is also taking ESL classes, affirms the importance of language learning for successful integration into a new country. Her mother, Leticia, shares her aspiration to contribute more to society by leveraging her bachelor’s degree in sociology. With Gino’s son, a senior at East High School, the family now has three generations learning within DPS.
DPS offers four levels of ESL classes at its six community hubs, which are open to parents of DPS students and adults living in Denver, all free of charge.
