Building a Language Bridge

A partnership has been forged between two programs at the District Program Center. Students from the South Washington Alternative High School (SWAHS) and adult English language learners from the Great Rivers Adult Education Consortium are coming together to teach each other. The learning is not about history, math or science but about building connections – learning about each other’s favorite meals, workplace challenges and cultural traditions. 

This unique mentoring program allows high school students to help teach adult English language learners conversational skills, and in return, the high school students gain confidence speaking with adults who are not their teachers or family members. 

“The students love it,” said Cultural Liaison Elliott Vang. “It is like a dual mentorship, the kids feel empowered by helping people older than them and the adult learners have a chance to mentor youth while practicing their second language.”

The program has been transformative for adults like Marriana Iglesias, a nutritionist from Venezuela. "In my English class, I worry about grammar and making mistakes," she shares. "But with my student partner, Myanna, it’s just talking. She is patient and I understand her. She helps me find the right words. Now, I feel much more fluid and stronger."

“The informal, peer-to-peer setting reduces the anxiety that can block language acquisition,” said Community Education Project Coordinator Ingrid Tollefson.

“We talk a lot about our family and pets, it's fun to learn about my partner,” said Saisai Matsumoto.

Adults are free to make mistakes and practice at their own pace, building the muscle memory of conversational English in a supportive environment. The high school students also experience growth as they step into a role of responsibility and see themselves as capable mentors, bolstering their self-esteem and leadership skills.

“I was a little intimidated at first to talk to a random adult,” said sophomore Gabby Lipscomb. “My partner, Doaa is so nice and has helped me ease into it and we talk about all sorts of things.”

“Minsun and I both moved to Minnesota from other places. I moved here from Seattle and she came from Korea,” said junior Karma McBorrough. “It's nice talking to someone about all the different things that we’ve found out since moving here.”

In a world that often feels divided, these conversational partnerships show that learning is not a one-way street and that everyone has something to teach and everyone has something to learn.