ESL Meets Salsa, as Hillhouse Meets ECA
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Spanish teacher Ann Grogan and English as Second Language (ESL) teacher Susan Christiansen decided this year to bring together their classes with Hill’s dance lessons in order to facilitate interaction and communication between Hillhouse’s local and foreign students. The program, in its second of eight weeks, already seems to have made a significant impact at the school. “They all love it,” reported Grogan. “I’m thrilled.” Echoing her comments, one student remarked, “I’m becoming a natural [at salsa dancing]. I might give up football soon.” |
The purpose of Hill’s class, funded by the Arts Presentation Grant from the Commission on Culture and Tourism, is not only to encourage the ESL students to practice their English skills with other students, but also to ease their often difficult transition to an American high school. “When the ESL students first arrive,” Grogan explained, “they are confined and isolated. [The dance class] is an icebreaker, a way for them to intermingle and make friends.” “Now I even see them in the hallway saying hi!” quipped Christiansen. The ESL students, who come from countries as diverse as Kenya, Liberia, Mexico, and Cuba, are all at a level II proficiency in English. That, according to Christiansen, means they have some verbal communication skills but likely have difficulty reading and writing in English.
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