Government fundings supports Windsor ESL school programs

The government of Canada is working to support English as a Second Language for students in elementary schools who are coming from other countries.

English language students bring a range of educational experiences and a variety of life situations to Ontario schools, according to the Ministry of Education.

Scott Scantlebury, a public relations officer at Greater Essex County District School Board, said the board has staff who can help ESL students in facing their struggles and trying to keep them in the English school system whenever possible.

“The staff are well-trained,” said Scantlebury. “We try to keep the students in their schools when it is possible at the elementary level.”

Scantlebury said the number of ESL students has grown in the past four years which let them expand the supporting programs to Kennedy Collegiate Institute, funded by the government of Canada and the Ministry of Education.

“Proper assessment is extremely important and vital,” said Scantlebury. “English language acquisition extremely important.”

The adult ESL students now have the skills they need to be productive in the society.

Noor Taher, an administrator of the Advance English Academy for adults, said they have some students who had lack of communication at the beginning of their enrollment, but they now are doing well.

“They are really improving. Within three weeks you will see the difference,” said Taher. “They had a lack of confidence in terms of speaking, but most of them are confident now.”