College Relations
Grant targets bi-lingual program at SSC
CONTACT --- Jim Glynn at 978-542-7519 or james.glynn@salemstate.edu
SALEM - Salem State College has received a $1.36 million federal grant to run a five-year program designed to alleviate a shortage of certified English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers in Salem, Lynn, Chelsea, East Boston and Lawrence.
This is the second grant Salem State College has received over the past three years for ESL programs. According to Rep. John Tierney, the sole New England member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, "The College is uniquely situated to fill the enormous need for certified teachers to help newcomers to our country become proficient in English. The success of the Salem State program is affirmed by this significant new infusion of federal funds."
"The number of immigrant students entering our schools is rising," said Ellen Rintell, a professor in the Education Department who will implement the funds. "As more English language learners are entering our schools, so grows the need for licensed bilingual and ESL teachers."
Rintell will co-ordinate a program that uses $272,849 per year to train 20 para-educators and 20 uncertified teachers to become, "highly-qualified and fully-certified teachers for English language learners."
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