TCU’s School of Education receives grant to support local English language program

Fort Worth, TX

3/19/2007

By Cacy Barnard, Office of Communications

TCU’s School of Education has received a $4,000 grant from the Center for Civic Literacy to initiate a pilot project named Supporting English Language Learners (SELL). The project will join several groups in the local community to focus on bettering the quality of education for parents and children learning English.

“Each participant will affirm one another because of our common values and goals and enrich one another with new knowledge. The project is a perfect vehicle for a collaborative effort between TCU, Ridglea Presbyterian Church and the parents of children at Mary Louise Phillips Elementary,” says Dr. Judy Groulx, co-project investigator, along with Dr. Cecilia Silva and Dr. Frank Thomas.

During the following year, TCU School of Education students will collaborate with church volunteer teachers and parents enrolled in English Language Learners (ELL) classes to obtain new perspectives on effective teaching techniques. Through interviews, journals and focus groups, TCU students will share experiences and ideas with the volunteer teachers. In return, parents will be able to take a larger part in their child’s education, with new relationships and greater English proficiency, according to Groulx.

For TCU education students, the program will provide crucial hands-on experience and opportunities to view the importance of family involvement in education. It will also allow them to improve their skills as they set out to be ESL teachers in a diverse society.

“The students will gain awareness and appreciation of the strengths and needs of both children and adult ELLs and greater confidence and skill in planning and teaching,” says Groulx.

The project not only addresses a local need, but also stresses the growing importance of school-community relationships. Findings from the study may affect future strategies and offer insights for groups hoping to conduct similar ELL programs.

For more information on the TCU SELL project, contact Judy Groulx at 817-257-6781.