TAMPA, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Early Learning Coalition is partnering with Redefiners World Languages to offer a new program to Tampa residents.
The English as a Second Language certification program, funded by an American Rescue Plan discretionary grant, aims to adapt and empower small businesses through several courses.
Childcare work requires a lot of patience, but Hidalme María Martín Santos wouldn't want to do anything else.
“What I like most is seeing how they learn and how they grow. They also take what they learned here home with them. This is a great way for them to grow. “This is a fundamental step toward achieving this goal,” Santos said.
She has been working as a childcare worker since 2011, and educating children has always been her top priority, whether it's through food or teaching them the basics of how to wash after meals. Her teaching style is what attracts parents to her child care business. But it also comes with some challenges.
“When you're caring for children who only speak English, not being able to speak English can be a hindrance to your business. Many English-speaking parents have asked us if they would like their children to learn Spanish. But before I can teach the children, I have to be able to communicate with the parents,” she said.
That's why she's in the English as a Second Language certification program.
Abigail Perez is the Director of Impact and Community Relations for the Hillsboro Early Learning Coalition. She said this after she noticed that more than 40% of her childcare workers only spoke Spanish. they wanted to help.
“This is a basic life course where individuals learn various subjects such as communication functions, cultural connections, and voice,” she said.
Upon completion of the 12-week course, residents receive a $300 participation fee.
Santos says this has made her more confident in her abilities as a childcare worker. This course will help her understand how to communicate in her own way.
“The quality and audio are great, and instructors can place images and videos so you can see how the English conversations are being done and listen to the content as you learn,” she said.
Although Santos is always on her toes because of her children, she enjoys watching them learn and grow and hopes to continue doing so while expanding her own knowledge.
Certification programs can be taken online or in person. But Hillsborough County Early Learning isn't the only program offered. Other programs are also offered.
