Bank and U.'s effort culminates in 14 graduates

For Ayda L. Posso, improving her English fluency is essential to continue her education, advance her career and, most importantly, for her three children.

"I want to improve my English, so I can help my kids do their homework," said Posso, who emigrated from Colombia 13 years ago and graduated from Highland High School.

Recently, Posso became one of the first 14 students to graduate from a new advanced English course offered by the University of Utah's English Language Institute. They were honored in a ceremony at Zions Bank Su Banco (your bank) branch, 1635 S. Redwood Road.

The collaborative effort between the U. and Zions Bank offers the community-based courses for adults who have completed English as a Second Language programs and want more advanced training.

"I think this was a great opportunity," Posso said. "I think it opened doors for everybody."

One of those doors is the possibility of a college education. All 14 graduates will take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOFL) in August, and most, including Posso, are applying to the U., said ELI instructor Rick Van De Graaff.

Van De Graaff taught the evening courses at Su Banco four times a week over 16 weeks. Zions and the U. provided scholarships for most of the $1,400 tuition. The students each had to show English proficiency and pay $200 tuition to qualify for the program.

All of the students, except one Armenian, are Latino immigrants from Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Van De Graaff said the students started out with an ability to communicate in English, but needing help with grammar structures.

"I think there's a huge need for it," Van De Graaff said. "It fits nicely with what the university is trying to do to reach out."

Theresa A. Martinez, U. associate dean of undergraduate studies for outreach, said 14 of the first class of 15 graduated. Of those students, nine are now proficient enough to easily pass the TOFL for U. admission, she said.

Martinez, one of the program organizers, said the program is unique because of the scholarship, and also because it takes the U.'s English Language Institute to the community.

She said it is designed to help "individuals who have taxed out on programs offered by school districts but are still in low paying jobs.