VCU students serve as 'English as a second language' interns in Richmond area schools

By Mike Porter

Virginia Commonwealth University students are spending time this fall at Richmond area public schools, working with students for whom English is their second language.

A dozen VCU students from the School of World Studies and other study areas are serving as interns in a pilot program to mentor English as a Second Language, or ESL, students at several elementary and secondary schools. 

The program is coordinated through the Hispanic Students/Asian Students/ First Generation/Immigrant Student Initiative, which aims to serve “at-risk” students. The students’ limited English language proficiency could limit their academic success.

“Research shows early intervention such as tutoring and mentoring are very effective in reaching at-risk students,” said R. McKenna Brown, director of World Studies and a professor in Spanish.

The program gives ESL students more individual attention because their VCU mentors enter into a personal, motivational relationship with them.

“By interacting with our students, the ESL students are exposed to higher education, which may make them think at an early age about the benefits of going to college,” Brown said.

School officials in Chesterfield County say the interns will be valuable.  The number of ESL students in the county is estimated at 1,800 and growing.

“This program is just what we’ve been waiting for,” said Terry Franson, instructional specialist for the ESL program in the Chesterfield County Public School system.

The VCU interns will work at some of the 26 ESL intake centers, help register students, meet with families and provide tutoring during or after school, Franson said.

“Some of our new ESL students have no English skills and others have very little schooling,” she said.

Brown said the experience is also of tremendous benefit to the VCU interns, who participate in four weeks of orientation and training before working with students.

“Our students are getting direct exposure to some critical issues like globalization, immigration and educational policy. Global experience is increasingly valuable in today’s job market,” Brown said. 

The pilot program is supported through a community engagement grant.  Organizers hope to ultimately place 30 to 50 VCU student mentors each semester in Richmond, Chesterfield and Henrico schools.