PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — School is out for most students, but at Holy Family University in Northeast Philadelphia, newly arrived Ukrainian refugees are taking free summer classes on English as a second language.
A few dozen students meet twice a week at the college. The free six-week program is helping them not only learn the language but build community.
“The overall goal is two-fold,” explained Dennis Millan, who organized the program at Holy Family. “First, of course, to increase the skill level when it comes to English, the proficiency of the language. But second, we want them to get this strong sense of community.”
Through grammar, greetings and even a lesson on Philly-specific phrases, he hopes the class helps his new students feel more at home.
One student, Olha, from West Ukraine, still worries about her home country. But twice a week, she and others get to turn their attention to learning something new.
“It’s so hard, but I’m trying and I really like this class,” she said.
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“Every meeting you see them, it’s visible,” said Millan. “There’s this energy coming from the students of wanting to be here.” They even ask him for homework to continue their lessons once they leave campus.
The popularity of the course has already proven successful — Millan said there’s a waitlist for the next round of classes.