Zulma
Eight months ago, Zulma Hernandez began attending the ESL classes at the Gilroy Apartments. Her daughter was in kindergarten and Zulma was anticipating the homework that she would be bringing home when she entered the first grade. Zulma wanted to be able to help her and she knew that she would have to have better English skills. She needed to be able to read and write English, as well as explain the homework to her daughter.
In first grade, Zulma’s daughter brought homework for math and for spelling. Zulma had to help her daughter with word problems for math in addition and subtraction. There were spelling words that Zulma would have to help her daughter put into sentences. At first, they had to enlist the help of relatives and neighbors to get their homework completed.
The word problems in math were difficult for Zulma because she couldn’t figure out if the problem was addition or subtraction. Then, in her ESL class, they had to work on past, present and future tenses of verbs. As she became more proficient with that skill, the word problems started to make sense. It also became easier to make sentences for the spelling homework.
Two weeks ago, Zulma’s daughter exclaimed, “Mama, look! We were able to finish my homework tonight without asking anyone else for help! We did it all by ourselves!”
Zulma continues to attend the ESL classes and is very proud of the progress that she is making. Her daughter is very proud of her, also. They are also very thankful for the childcare that is offered during these classes. Zulma would not have been able to attend so many classes without this assistance.
In first grade, Zulma’s daughter brought homework for math and for spelling. Zulma had to help her daughter with word problems for math in addition and subtraction. There were spelling words that Zulma would have to help her daughter put into sentences. At first, they had to enlist the help of relatives and neighbors to get their homework completed.
The word problems in math were difficult for Zulma because she couldn’t figure out if the problem was addition or subtraction. Then, in her ESL class, they had to work on past, present and future tenses of verbs. As she became more proficient with that skill, the word problems started to make sense. It also became easier to make sentences for the spelling homework.
Two weeks ago, Zulma’s daughter exclaimed, “Mama, look! We were able to finish my homework tonight without asking anyone else for help! We did it all by ourselves!”
Zulma continues to attend the ESL classes and is very proud of the progress that she is making. Her daughter is very proud of her, also. They are also very thankful for the childcare that is offered during these classes. Zulma would not have been able to attend so many classes without this assistance.