Hola -- Como se llama? It's a very simple sentence in Spanish, but if given the task to carry on daily conversations in Spanish, most Utahns couldn't. Conversely, it is also true for those who don't speak English to get through life in Utah with just, "Hello. What's your name?"

On Thursday night, more than 80 "graduates" celebrated their completion of the first-ever classes at the Alpine School District's English Language Learner Family Literacy Center at Orem Junior High School. Opening its doors last November, the Family Literacy Center offers classes in English as a second language, parenting and community resources.

The major purpose of the center is to provide non-English speaking parents of district schoolchildren with the opportunity to learn English. They also receive training on how to communicate with teachers and school administration for their children and how to teach their children about everyday life in a different culture.

The center also provides a day-care center for younger children to learn right along with their parents.

"Learning English is stressful and difficult. One of the observations we've made that surprised us during the year is that parents who took advantage of our childcare center had a very low attrition rate," said Noah Huntsman, site supervisor. "It was easier for them to buy into the program because their kids dragged them to classes when they might have stayed home otherwise or given up."

While most of the students came from Spanish-speaking countries, other countries in Eastern Europe and Asia also were represented.

"It humbles me to see how much of why they're here is based on creating a future for their children," Huntsman said. "It's unselfish, and when you see one parent from one part of Mexico with a third-grade education [or less] sitting in the class next to a parent from another part of Mexico with a completely different culture who has a college degree, sitting next to a student from Thailand, it gives you hope in a better world community where we set aside our differences."

This first class of students count themselves lucky. When the center opened the door for registration on Nov. 7 more than 200 people were waiting in line. It was bitter cold and several had been waiting for hours.

The were only 100 available class slots.

Reflecting on their completion of the courses, some of the students said the following through a translated written interview:

"I want to improve my English so I can talk to my children's teachers. I'm thankful for the opportunity to attend this class, learn how to help my children, and for the information on the rules of the school," wrote Elsa Contreras.

"My daughter pushes me to come because she loves to come. She cries when I don't have time to come," Vicenta Bustillos wrote.

The students all had one central goal -- to be able to communicate with those around them with an understanding of their new culture and life.

"If we are living here, we need to speak both languages. Life is better for us," wrote Carola Balderas. "We can have better jobs. We can be successful."

Octavio Gil stated, "I think you've done something very good giving us classes and orientation about how to help our children. I believe that our community needs to learn English for our benefit and that of our kids, who are also the future of America."

The parents seem unified in their purpose -- it's for the children. The sense of family and community was noticeably strong in these students, according to Huntsman.

"The Family Literacy Center has been a wonderful way to bring members of our community into the school to improve their connection to educational opportunities," said Orem Junior High School Principal Steve Stewart. "We're excited about the future of this program and how it will prepare families to better access available resources."

The center was made possible by a grant from the Utah State Legislature.

"All of these families are coming in with a desire to contribute to their community. They're humble and grateful," said Amelia Schwartz, director of alternative language services with the Alpine School District.

Perhaps Ana Padilla stated it best for the class.

"For me, this is the first class I'm able to attend with childcare. It's helping my whole family as I learn together with my 4- and 8-year old boys," she wrote. "I'm very thankful to Alpine School District and the state of Utah. Thank you."

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