U.S. English Makes Donation to Raleigh County English Yes!

Funds to be used for instructional materials to help immigrants become English proficient

BECKLEY, W.Va. – As West Virginia students buckled down to their studies, U.S. English presented a $1,000 donation to Raleigh County English Yes! to ensure that some of West Virginia’s newest residents can achieve the American dream.

With West Virginia Senate Majority Whip Billy Bailey in attendance, U.S. English Representative John R. Davis presented program director Shalom Tazewell with the funds needed to purchase books, tapes and computer software that will be used to help immigrants improve their English skills. “It has been a great experience for me to teach English to people who have adopted this country,” said Tazewell, who taught English to students from 12 different nations last year. “By teaching students dedicated to learning English and becoming a part of American society, you realize how important diversity is to the United States. I consider myself privileged to learn about their cultures and thank U.S. English for advancing our collective effort.”

The gift is part of a continuing effort by the U.S. English to ensure English proficiency for all Americans. “Though September is usually associated with children returning to school, we must remember that there are plenty of adults who are also taking steps to improve their future,” said U.S. English Chairman Mauro E. Mujica. “Programs such as Raleigh County English Yes! are vitally important to ensuring that immigrants will succeed in their new nation.”

Based in Beckley, Raleigh County English Yes! aims to develop the English skills of immigrants so that they can work, live and participate in the community. For the 2002-03 session, 39 students speaking eight languages were enrolled in the program. Already this year, 25 students have signed up for the two classes taught in the Work4WV Career Center and the Academy of Careers and Technology.

Nationwide, 17.8 million people over the age of 18 are limited English proficient. Due to recent budget issues, many locations have had to cut back or eliminate English teaching programs, adding to lengthy waiting lists. Mujica, who immigrated to the United States from Chile, knows that even small steps can have tremendous effects. “While this donation represents only a fraction of what needs to be a nationwide commitment toward English proficiency, the benefits these immigrants gain by learning our common language are infinite.”

U.S. English, Inc. is the nation's oldest and largest non-partisan citizens' action group dedicated to preserving the unifying role of the English language in the United States. Founded in 1983 by the late Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of California, U.S. English, Inc. (www.usenglish.org) now has more than 1.8 million members.