|
| |
 |
| Danielle Corbucci |
Newlywed 30-year-old Danielle Corbucci came to the United States almost a year ago from Perugia, his birthplace, in the Umbria region of Italy. It was in his home country where he met his wife Brittany, while she was there attending a course. Fate brought them together when she came in to one of two coffee shops that he owned and ordered a cappuccino, which he prepared and served to her. They dated, fell in love, and the rest is history.
Since Daniele has been in the United States, it has been his goal to improve his English, and he has done just that in Adult Education's ESL 5th level advanced course, which he passed with flying colors. On June 2 he graduated from the ESL program with a certificate of completion and has ambitiously undertaken an Advanced Conversational English this summer. Looking back, he said that his teachers have been amazing and that the Adult Education program has helped him cut the time to learn English and at no cost, for which he is grateful.
Westlake Village is now home to Daniele, who works evening hours at Café Firenze, an Italian restaurant in Moorpark. With his newly acquired proficiency in English, Daniele would like to find full time employment during the day with a company like Picnic Time, an Italian-owned gourmet food, wine, and holiday gift basket business. His wife, Brittany, teaches Italian at Conejo Valley Adult School as well as Pepperdine University and provides instruction in the ROP program at Agoura High School.
Daniele’s interests include exercise, playing tennis and taking care of tasks around the house. When time allows, he enjoys visiting and socializing with an 85-year-old Italian acquaintance. Eventually, he’d like to try his turn at salsa dancing. A few spins and some footwork, and Daniele will have reached his scholastic goals. |
|
| Gabriela Morales |
ESL Graduation speech
Jan. 21, 2010 |
Good morning. My name is Gabriela Morales.
I would like to take this oportunity to thank the Conejo Valley Adult School for this wonderful ESL program and to all the teachers and staff that work really hard to make all this possible.
When I first came to this school my purpose was to improve my English and my writing skills, but now that I’m here and I’ve seen all the many programs that this school offers, it has made me more ambitious and now I want to persevere and work hard to get my GED.
I think that God heard my prayers because this year the school has just opened a new program that will help me, as well as many more, to fulfill our goals and—who knows—to continue our education at a higher level.
Once again, thanks to all of you and especially to my teacher, Donna Dearborn. I want you all to know that your effort and your support are really appreciated.
Thank you. |
|
| Manuel Cruz |
ESL Graduation speech
Jan. 21, 2010 |
It’s difficult for me to speak in front of a microphone; it’s the first time in my life.
We all have hopes and dreams; they say a lot about us. They say who we are and who we want to be. Some dreams are big. Those take a lot of work to accomplish. Some dreams are not so big and may not take as much effort. All dreams can come true if you work at it day by day.
I appreciate everything my teachers have done to make my goal of learning English come true. I am thankful for their patience and wilingness to help me and my classmates. I also want to thank the people who work in this school and gave me the opportunity to study. I would also like to thank my teacher, Donna, for the help she gave me everyday. |
| |
|
Interviews by B. Kane
Articles by E. Kane |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Student Spotlight |
More testimonials in these programs:
ESL Student Spotlight | ESL Staff Spotlight | ESL Special Events
General Classes | HS Diploma | Literacy Center | Medical | Computer |
| |
 |
| Maria Botero |
Maria Botero is starting over. Sure, she had received a B.A. in industrial design from La Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, her university back home in Columbia, but she wants to earn the equivalent in the U.S. It’s just how the system works. On top of that, she has to learn English, and learn it well. Maria is going to make it, though. She has already made it to the ESL Level 5 advanced literacy course, concurrently enrolled in English Vocabulary and Idioms, TOEFL Preparation (Test of English as a Foreign Language), and Tutoring.
"I really want to get a job here in this country in the field of industrial design,” Maria said. “So I need to improve and be confident with my English speaking skills.”
She may end up working with her husband, Miller Vargas, to advance their solar and wind energy business. Meanwhile, her two sons, Alejandro, who lives in Alabama and Camilo, a student himself at a university in Columbia, keep apprised of her school progress.
Maria will soon attend college again herself; she plans to enroll at Moorpark College after completing the Adult School program. For now, the courses are providing Maria with a satisfying experience.
"The ESL program is flexible time-wise and there are many choices of classes to take,” she said. “All the teachers are excellent. My tutor is very nice, helpful and patient." And when she’s not attending classes? Golfing at the Tierra Rejada club with her husband does the trick. |
|
| |
 |
| Rubilo Garcia |
Rubilo Garcia attended elementary school through sixth grade in the small Guatemalan village where he was raised, but the nearest secondary school was 40 miles away, and his family was unable to afford sending him there. That’s where the story begins.
At age 12 then, he began work in construction, serving as a helper in home-building for three years. At age 15, he started employment with the Chiquita Banana company and became a supervisor at age 18. In May 2000, at age 25, he came to the United States, knowing no English. Until he was 30, he worked three jobs—two full-time and one part-time—seven days a week to support himself and his family; he has two children, still in Guatemala, from his first marriage. When they were more financially stable, he was able to quit one of the full-time jobs.
When he began studying through Adult Ed’s ESL program, he was working 40 hours per week. Last year, Rubilo graduated from the program with a diploma, after four years of hard work. He is currently in his second year as a student of the Literacy Center’s tutoring program. This September, he began the ESL computer course. Meanwhile, his wife, Cristina, is taking the ESL Level 4 class, while maintaining her job as a housekeeper.
Rubilo has been employed with Weldlogic, Inc. for the past five years, assembling welding equipment used for advanced manufacturing.
“I have a goal to get a GED,” he said. “That would enable me to eventually get a higher position in the company. Actually, my career goal would be to open my own business or work in the field of real estate.”
Rubilo has resided in Newbury Park since coming to the country, and has traveled to San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Catalina Island. However, he feels fortunate that Adult Ed is practically in his own backyard.
“I am so thankful for this school,” he said. “It really helped me a lot. I had wonderful teachers who had a lot of patience to teach me.”
In his spare time, Rubilo plays on a soccer team, likes swimming at his apartment pool or at the beach, and enjoys weekend bike rides with his wife. He also reads, preferring The Los Angeles Times and historical non-fiction books. |
|
| Maria Calderon |
ESL Graduation speech
Jan. 21, 2010 |
Hello: My name is Maria Calderon. I'm from Ecuador. I'm a student at this wonderful school.
Thank you so much for the opportunity you have given me to continue expanding my knowledge. During this time I have improved my English, and also had many fun times and have made some great friends. I especially would like to think my teacher, Donna [Dearborn]. She has a lot of patience and it's so nice to always see her smiling.
It has been a great class. Thanks again.
|
| |
|
| 'The ESL program is flexible time-wise and there are many choices of classes to take. All the teachers are excellent. My tutor is very nice, helpful and patient.' |
| |
| --Maria Botero, Conejo Valley Adult School student |
| |
|
| |
 |
| Isabelle Dewitte |
Isabelle Dewitte attended college in Lyon, France, earning the equivalent of a B.A. in Business Administration and Computer Applications. She worked in Paris for 25 years in the field of computer management. Then things got lost in translation.
A move to the U.S. meant that the language barrier would prevent Isabelle from continuing work at the level she had been in her home country; she worked for Cartier, doing diamond management and inventory.
So she began the Adult School’s ESL program here several years ago and now finds herself in the Level 5 advanced literacy course. But Isabelle’s ambitions are greater than that; she is also enrolled in English Vocabulary and Idioms, Reading Skills, TOEFL Preparation (Test of English as a Foreign Language), Tutoring and Citizenship.
"I am working hard in my ESL courses to improve my English speaking skills and be confident so that I can get as good a job here,” she said.
Isabelle plans to take the Administrative Assistant-Level III of Microsoft Office applications course in January, building on some of her previous work experience. Her schooling consumes time, but her hobbies—sailing, kayaking, and cooking—aren’t neglected. Furthermore, her family members—husband Reginald, 19-year-old daughter Annabelle, and cat Minette—are supportive of her ongoing educational pursuits. Isabelle is likewise proud of herself and appreciates the opportunities the Adult School affords.
"This is such a wonderful school,” she said. “Everyone here is friendly, the teachers are very professional and are available to help their students and push them to succeed. It’s just like family here where the students can encourage each other.” The program, where students can also learn about other cultures, is serious and… gives [students] skills for life as well as for getting a job, as I am trying to do." |
|
 |
| Zonia Fleming |
From Loja, a small city in Ecuador, Zonia Fleming finds herself at Thousand Oaks’ Adult Ed. The ESL Program has helped her transfer the skills she acquired in college in Equador to her current job, which demands English language knowledge.
Zonia completed her higher education at La Universidad Laica Vicente Rocafuerte de Guayaquil, earning a degree in Business Administration. Afterward, she attended La Universidad de Especialidades Espiritu Santo for her certification in public accounting. She then worked as assistant manager for a company that makes a composite wood product from sugar cane bark.
In the U.S., she met her husband, Randy, through an internet dating site. They communicated for a month before meeting in person. Subsequently, they fell in love and married a few months later. They have been together two years now, and while Randy works at his job as an aircraft mechanic, Zonia is working as a human resources office assistant at Sears and taking Adult Ed classes.
She has been in the program a little over a year and is currently enrolled in ESL Level 3, ESL Civics: Computer Class, and GED Math. Her goal is to advance to ESL 5, earn a GED, and then put her university degrees to use as either a certified public accountant or a business administrator.
Zonia is very grateful for Adult School.
“This program has helped me a lot because when I came to this country, I was afraid to talk English,” she said. “The school has helped me improve my language skills for use in my job and in life. I have excellent teachers and have learned so much from them. I would like to thank [them] and the principal at Adult School for all their help and the learning opportunity." |
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
| Sabine Zhou |
Sabine Zhou has been leading a busy life. Her adventure started in Wuhan, China, at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in French with an emphasis on scientific applications. After graduating, she took a position in Africa for five years, where she was involved in a training project for stock market financial analysts. Later, Sabine went to France and eventually earned her Master’s degree in French literature from the University of Saint-Denis in Paris. Following the completion of her education, she traveled back to China where she worked at the French Embassy five years, helping with membership and organizing seminars, exhibitions, and commercial promotions. Both jobs involved translating Chinese to French and vice versa.
Now that Sabine lives in the United States, she must learn English well in order to gain employment. The Adult School ESL program has provided her with the classes necessary to begin meeting that goal. She is currently enrolled in the ESL Level 5 advaced literacy course, English Vocabulary and Idioms, Reading,TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), and Tutoring. With the help of these courses, Sabine hopes to work in real estate or as a tour guide, especially because she enjoys traveling—“a great journey,” she said. Being trilingual will prove to be a great asset, no matter what career field she enters.
Being a voracious reader, Sabine enjoys autobiographies and biographies, which have helped her learn about certain aspects of this country's culture such as those on Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and Warren Buffet. On the international front, she's currently digesting a book about the founder of IKEA, along with her monthly subscription to Art & Décoration, a French interior design magazine.
Sabine has been impressed with the Adult School program thus far, and its role in helping her realize her career aspirations, not to mention familiarizing her with life in a this country. “The ESL courses here are fabulous and very interesting, especially the tutoring program,” she said. “This is the first time in my life when I have had one-on-one help. My teacher knows exactly what I need [and] all the courses are integrated. It's [also] so great that I can learn about American culture and make friends with my classmates.” |
|
| Barbara Nosal |
ESL Graduation speech
Jan. 21, 2010 |
My name is Barbara Nosal. I’m from Poland.
Today I’d like to express how deeply grateful I am to all of you: my great teachers, the wonderful staff, and my fascinating classmates from all over the world.
It has been such a marvelous adventure to be a student in this fantastic school! I could talk and talk for hours about my exciting experiences, great classes, happy and funny momrnts and events here…but I can’t use too much time, so in a nutshell:
I was taught by some degree by all of you wonderful, unique teachers, full of many skills, talents, and with your specific sense of humor. (I used to be a teacher in Poland for many years, so I know what I’m talking about!)
I learned a lot from you. I improved many skills. I’m able to understand my American friends and TV speakers much better and I believe that I’m better understood as well. I can speak more fluently and a lot of idioms are not a mystery anymore.
Again, thank you so much for your everyday devotion, patience, and friendly smiles. All of you have enriched—somehow—my life.
Special appreciation for my very first marvelous teacher, dear Ruth Canfield, who introduced me to the school.
Special thanks to my lovely 5th level teacher and friend, Donna Dearborn, for her everyday inspirations, encouragement, for correcting so many mistakes, and kind helpfulness in sharing ideas about healthy lifestyles.
Thank you—all of you—classroom Literacy Center teachers and tutors and all school staff for everything you’ve done for me.
Big thanks to our smart, friendly and always-helpful-to-us-students Bette Empol. She’s always been full of great innovative ideas about the school. When we see her beautiful smile, we feel more secure and joyful.
People like our dear Bernie are truly a treasure for this school. We can count on his advice (even bicycle tips) and his helpful hand and warmth.
Dear friends, it has been an honor and great pleasure to be a part of this amazing community. For most of us, this very special school means a better life, successful jobs, or more lifetime opportunities.
|
|
| |
| |
|
