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ESL Students learn about the Fourth of July at VGCC

Independence Day, the Fourth of July, is always an occasion to celebrate the “birthday” of the United States of America. This year, it also served as an excellent opportunity to teach students in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Vance-Granville Community College about this important holiday and about their adopted country. “Newcomers and their families often feel left out when everyone is celebrating a holiday that they don’t understand,” said Esdras De La Torre, VGCC’s recruiter/counselor for Adult Basic Skills.

VGCC ESL instructor Katia Lossa explained to her students the significance of the Fourth of July. “The Fourth of July is this country’s most important national holiday because it celebrates the Declaration of Independence, which announced America’s independence from Britain,” Lossa said. “The Declaration was made by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and written by Thomas Jefferson. Its purpose was to secure the rights of individuals to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” She also told them that since the Fourth is a federal holiday, schools (including VGCC), banks, post offices, and other government offices are closed (this year, on July 5). Lossa pointed out that founding father John Adams wisely predicted that the Declaration “will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival…It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward for evermore.” ESL students explored the history and traditions of the holiday, learning new vocabulary words along the way. They compared and contrasted Independence Day celebrations with holidays in their native countries. Students also examined the United States flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. Lossa said that her new ESL students were eager to participate in all the holidays celebrated in the United States.

The English as a Second Language Program helps local adults whose native language is not English to improve their communication skills, and to learn daily living skills that are necessary to become more integral participants in the American community. Free ESL classes are taught at all four VGCC campuses and at First Presbyterian Church in Henderson. For more information, contact Esdras de la Torre at (252) 738-3435 or Sue Wooten Grissom at (252) 738-3315.

Above: Students in the English as a Second Language Program on VGCC’s main campus recently learned about the meaning of the Fourth of July. Seated, from left: Hector Rodriguez, Angelica Montano, Heliodoro Barrientos, Fidela de la Paz and Adisu Wana; standing, from left: Freddy Romero, Francisco Arteaga, Lorenzo Segundo, ESL Instructor Katia Lossa, Jesus Medina, Ricardo Vargas, ESL Instructor Jan Morgan, Shaila Guereca and ESL Instructor James Hall.