Building Community Through ESL

Throughout the day, you may hear Dr. Hsiao having a phone conversation in Mandarin, Ms. Doss asking a question in Spanish to Ms. Salamanca, or Mr. Fleming greeting students in Latin. The department is one of the most culturally diverse spaces at school.

English serves as a common language for colleagues in the department. Recognizing this, one of the Spanish teachers, David Barragán, teaches English as a Second Language (ESL) to members of our St. Andrew’s community. His students include Aldegunda, Doris, and Alfredo, highly respected custodians who work hard to maintain school grounds. 

Aldegunda, Doris, and Alfredo, much like the native Spanish speakers in the Language Department, left their homes and families behind in Latin America to pursue better opportunities in the United States. They contribute to the beautiful diversity that defines the country. However, many immigrants feel isolated and misunderstood, precisely because they do not speak English. But languages open doors, create connections, and allow people to advocate for themselves confidently. 

David understands the challenges of relocating to the United States with limited English. Although his job teaching Spanish did not require English proficiency, he felt the need to improve his language skills and began taking ESL courses at Brown University during the summers. As a language teacher, he appreciates not only how to teach but also the intricacies of gaining fluency. By immersing himself in the language, David gradually became proficient.

Years later, when David started working at St. Andrew’s, he discovered that there were some coworkers who did not speak English. Since he has always valued service, one of St. Andrew’s defining pillars for students, David decided to take action. Everything started coming together. First, the class attracted coworkers like Aldegunda, Doris, and Alfredo who were intent on expanding their linguistic horizons. The school provided support by supplying a classroom (David’s own 1101), books, and used iPads. Students like Paula Vidal-Tama ‘23, Anna Belle Moncrieff ‘24, and Ana Vidal-Tama ‘25 have volunteered their time and valuable teaching assistance, with more students volunteering to help after Sloan Golson’s May 1 article in The Tartan spotlighting the class. Despite challenges and busy schedules, David is determined to continue with his class when school starts back in the fall. 

Language acquisition is a long process that calls for a profound level of engagement. Some of the ESL students work long hours and even more than one job to make ends meet. Sometimes, devoting twenty minutes to studying English after class is not a realistic goal. Nonetheless, Aldegunda, Doris, and Alfredo remain committed. Through teaching and learning English, David and his students model how to build community through language and action.