Regularly scheduled English language instruction is certainly not a new subject to Friends of Niños.  Over the years several attempts, including recommending private school instructions, arranging organized classes with professional instructors, setting up private one on one instruction, and our sponsor taught classes during January/February have been pursued. Private schools and one on one instruction proved effective, but very expensive. The sponsor taught classes were somewhat effective but the short two months of instruction time limited their effectiveness, thus they are no longer offered.  Initially we had poor luck with the organized classes. In the recent past, beginning with teacher Sharon Gusby and now Stella Martinez,  we have experienced good results, teaching about 30 kids on a year round basis.

 

Stella's cost effective 2-hour classes are held three times each week for the 11 month school year. They are generally scheduled to accommodate the student's school schedule.  Classes are divided into two skill levels.  Candidates are recommended by individual sponsors or by Jose, and are admitted to a class based on their skills, determination, and their ability to adapt the English Class schedule into their regular school schedule.

 

When a student has been identified as high potential candidate and is accepted we notify their respective sponsor.  Friends of Niños Adelante has set aside funds to pay the approximately $300 per year per student for these classes.

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Each year several advanced students from Stella's classes are selected to take the Cambridge University Assessment test beginning with the B-1 then  B-2. Passing the B-1 test is accepted by Universities as satisfying graduation requirements for a basic level of proficiency in English. Passing the B-2 is proof that one can use everyday written and spoken English for work or study purposes. The costs of this Cambridge testing are approximately $250 for the B-1 and $350 for the B-2. We solicit the sponsors of the students taking these tests to help defray the costs. 

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There is now another private school, English Plus, being used by several sponsors with good results. They offer a program consisting of two semesters per year. The cost per semester is approximately $450.