TENL program partners with local charities to support new citizens

Purdue University Fort Wayne’s Teaching English as a New Language program is known for reaching across the world through online classes to places like Myanmar, Thailand, Japan, the Philippines, China, India, Poland, and Ukraine. The classes open opportunities for both PFW students and their pupils from abroad.

But a relatively new offshoot of TENL is helping newcomers to the United States build community with an on-campus class. Working in conjunction with Catholic Charities, as many as 30 immigrants are taking free classes twice weekly to work on speaking and writing English. They came from various countries to build new lives but understanding and using the language is essential.

“We take a lot of things for granted here in Fort Wayne, and one of those is language,” said Mary Encabo Bischoff, clinical assistant professor of linguistics and director of TENL. “For many people who are adjusting to live in the U.S., language is one of the biggest barriers, so to provide this opportunity to our community is truly a blessing for us as a campus. We have the spaces, we have the students, and we have the heart for service.”

Started as a pilot program in 2024, the classes have been taught during fall, spring, and summer semesters the last two years, helping about 100 people. They are mostly clients of Catholic Charities, but word of mouth has recently helped the class to expand because of students coming from across the city. A recent session had students originally from countries like Chad, Venezuela, Congo, Burma, Nicaragua, and Columbia.

“They know that to do well in their new lives in the United States, they need to learn English,” said Ko Strong, extended case manager for Catholic Charities. “Most of them have educations from their native countries and they know how to do things, so this class is like a window of opportunity for them to enter.”

Almost all of the students are adults who work full-time and have children attending school. They enthusiastically participate in the exercises and discussions. As Chan Aung, employee services integration supervisor for Catholic Charities said, the ability to use English is needed for their job advancement and to open other employment options.

During breaks, the students are encouraged to meet others from outside their core groups and discuss something in English.

“I have especially paid attention to the ways my students interact curiously and empathetically with each other,” said Lily O’Quinn, who teaches the writing class. “During our 10-minute break, they sit down with cups of hot tea and ask about each other's lives, patient through language barriers. Students bring snacks that they walk around with and generously offer some to anyone interested. When one person is struggling to articulate something, another will chime in to supply help, and soon there's a chorus of kind assistance. In working with my students this semester, I have humbly learned what it means to meet hardship with dignity, grace, and perseverance.”

McKenna Straessle, a PFW senior who works for local nonprofit International House, teaches the speaking class, with help from retired Churubusco teacher Keston Smith.

Straessle starts the speaking class each week with a warmup question likes, “What are you thankful for?” Then she transitions to a topic such as how to set up a doctor’s appointment, how to communicate with healthcare providers, and how to cancel an appointment if necessary. Topics are selected with input from the class and have included instruction on how to use a credit card, how to participate in a parent-teacher conference, or how to speak in a grocery. Smith finishes the time by helping the students talk about current events.

A major factor, Straessle said, is simple repetition, which helps build confidence and enthusiasm to participate in discussions. Almost every student seems eager to prove what they are learning.

“This is also a safe space, and there hasn’t been a lot of fear when they are attending, which has been really important,” Straessle said. “It’s so important that the community works together for this kind of work. It’s not just the university’s job, but we have to do it all together as a city and a community.”

Smith said he finds the teaching incredibly fulfilling. His personal philosophy is to ask, “Who’s most in need,” and said these are some of those most in need right now.

Through their time together in the English language classes, TENL students and local community members are developing their connections and showing one of the meaningful ways that PFW engages with others across the region.

“Our classes are a good reminder to really get to know people because everyone’s story is different,” Encabo Bischoff said. “By getting to know people, we can cherish our shared humanity.”

For adult community members looking to join the free English language classes, contact Encabo Bischoff at [email protected].