Literacy program in Spanish helps immigrants continue their education dreams

Mexican government aids classes in Carpentersville

Ipolita Zarate, 60, meticulously places alphabet blocks in rows on the desk as two of her adult daughters sit next to her, listening intently while their teacher sounds out letters in Spanish.
Down the hall, two more of Zarate's daughters are studying in separate classrooms. A fifth daughter, who just gave birth, plans to resume her primary education classes as soon as possible.
"We don't know anything, so we want to see if we can learn a little," Zarate said.
Thanks to a literacy program called "Plaza Comunitaria," the mother and her grown daughters have already fulfilled a life-long dream of simply going to school.
They are attending classes at Golfview Elementary School in Carpentersville, where instruction is in Spanish. The program is designed to help those who are illiterate as well as students who wish to continue their education.
Materials and the curriculum are provided by the Mexican government. Additional funding comes from the state and federal government. Golfview is one of 11 sites in the Chicago area currently offering the program. Eight are located in Chicago; the others are in Elgin and McHenry.

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[Posted by Julia Martinez]