The first cohort of ESL (English as a Second Language) students in Northeast State’s Adult Education Program recently received their certificates from the College at a special ceremony held at the Langston Centre in Johnson City.
About 60 students completed the intensive year-long program from July 2023 until June 2024, and they posted the second-highest passing rate in the state, according to Rebecca Hale, director of ESL Services for Tennessee’s Department of Labor & Workforce Development.
Hale said the program began in 2022-23 with six students and has grown to 66 students in the past year.
The program offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers listening, speaking, reading, writing, conversational English, and civics instruction. Students were placed into beginner, intermediate, or high-level classes based on their initial assessment results.
The curriculum is designed to improve English language skills and provide a deeper understanding of American culture and society, thereby facilitating a smoother transition into the local community.
Instructors Laura Higgs Kappel and Jeanette Reynhout pose with happy graduates of Northeast State’s ESL program. Left to right back row: Yeny Vasquez, Deysi Vasquez, Samira Llamas, Hong Nhi Diep, and Danni Chicas. Left to right back row: Antemio Fregoso, Jose Marcario Vaquez, and Jaime Reyes.
Laura Higss Kappel, Jeanette Reynhout, and Michelle Rantuccio served as instructors for the free course, which is taught at the Langston Centre in Johnson City and the College’s Blountville campus. The second school year begins in July, and the program is already seeing high demand. About 50 students are currently on the waiting list.
The cohort students hailed from various countries, including China, Columbia, Haiti, Mexico, Peru, South Korea, Thailand, and Ukraine.
“This program has been essential in helping us adapt to life in the United States. It’s not just about learning a new language; it’s about understanding a new culture, building confidence, and finding our place in a new community,” said Yevhenita Hrebenkova of the Ukraine. “The opportunity to improve our English skills opened many doors for us, from better jobs to better social connections and even the ability to help our children with their homework.”
Seung Jung Woo from South Korea shared, “The program at Northeast State Community College, my instructor, Jeanette, and my classmates have provided me with more than I ever expected. I have not only learned English skills but also about American culture. More importantly, I have been exposed to various cultures through my classmates, and we have been able to share those cultures, living as immigrants offering each other comfort and encouragement.”
“This is so rewarding. I’ve been teaching ESL for about 15 years. I work at the College during the day as an academic advisor, but my passion is ESL,” said Rantuccio. “It’s not so much about learning, listening, speaking, reading; it’s more about socializing and making friends and feeling confident speaking English. These students have been so committed. They work all day and are tired, but they are so diligent. They always come and participate–it’s just amazing.”
Students earning certificates were Lester Alegria, Alejandro Pantoja, Alexis Avendano Ortiz, Julieta Aragon, Adriana Rendon, Lourdes Banales, Juan Pedro Baltazar, Lara Carrasco, Jorge Cardones, Elisa Chavez, Patricia Chavez, Jo Chen, Danni Chicas, Christian Casas, Consuelo Valdez, Guadalupe Cota, Hong Nhi Diep, Antemio Fregoso, Anna Furman, Jeonga Ha, Yevheniia Hrebenkova, Ella Ilina, Volodymyr Ilin, Natalia Ivanova, Samira Llamas, Seung Jung Woo, Minjeong Kang, Chikako Kitajima, Gladys Mendivil, Hanna Mashkina, Jose Raul Rendon, Jaime Reyes, Grisel Ramirez, Luz Rojas, Alla Rostovska, Jose Alfredo Torres, Maria Sulima Porter, Rosalba Vargas, Jade Sanchez, Haeron Seo, Zoriana Shevchuk, Natalia Pylypets, Vivian Olmos, Javier Olmos, Tetiana Ospenko, Karina Nunez, Candelaria Jimenez, Hyejung Yu, Yen Vasquez, Deysi Vasquez, José Marcario Vasquez, Leann Weeks, Nan Li, and Yeju Lee.
For more information about the Adult Education Program or ESL instruction, call 423.354.5364 or email AdultEd@NortheastState.edu.
The first cohort of ESL (English as a Second Language) students in Northeast State’s Adult Education Program recently received their certificates from the College at a special ceremony held at the Langston Centre in Johnson City.
About 60 students completed the intensive year-long program from July 2023 until June 2024, and they posted the second-highest passing rate in the state, according to Rebecca Hale, director of ESL Services for Tennessee’s Department of Labor & Workforce Development.
Hale said the program began in 2022-23 with six students and has grown to 66 students in the past year.
The program offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers listening, speaking, reading, writing, conversational English, and civics instruction. Students were placed into beginner, intermediate, or high-level classes based on their initial assessment results.
The curriculum is designed to improve English language skills and provide a deeper understanding of American culture and society, thereby facilitating a smoother transition into the local community.
Laura Higss Kappel, Jeanette Reynhout, and Michelle Rantuccio served as instructors for the free course, which is taught at the Langston Centre in Johnson City and the College’s Blountville campus. The second school year begins in July, and the program is already seeing high demand. About 50 students are currently on the waiting list.
The cohort students hailed from various countries, including China, Columbia, Haiti, Mexico, Peru, South Korea, Thailand, and Ukraine.
“This program has been essential in helping us adapt to life in the United States. It’s not just about learning a new language; it’s about understanding a new culture, building confidence, and finding our place in a new community,” said Yevhenita Hrebenkova of the Ukraine. “The opportunity to improve our English skills opened many doors for us, from better jobs to better social connections and even the ability to help our children with their homework.”
Seung Jung Woo from South Korea shared, “The program at Northeast State Community College, my instructor, Jeanette, and my classmates have provided me with more than I ever expected. I have not only learned English skills but also about American culture. More importantly, I have been exposed to various cultures through my classmates, and we have been able to share those cultures, living as immigrants offering each other comfort and encouragement.”
“This is so rewarding. I’ve been teaching ESL for about 15 years. I work at the College during the day as an academic advisor, but my passion is ESL,” said Rantuccio. “It’s not so much about learning, listening, speaking, reading; it’s more about socializing and making friends and feeling confident speaking English. These students have been so committed. They work all day and are tired, but they are so diligent. They always come and participate–it’s just amazing.”
Students earning certificates were Lester Alegria, Alejandro Pantoja, Alexis Avendano Ortiz, Julieta Aragon, Adriana Rendon, Lourdes Banales, Juan Pedro Baltazar, Lara Carrasco, Jorge Cardones, Elisa Chavez, Patricia Chavez, Jo Chen, Danni Chicas, Christian Casas, Consuelo Valdez, Guadalupe Cota, Hong Nhi Diep, Antemio Fregoso, Anna Furman, Jeonga Ha, Yevheniia Hrebenkova, Ella Ilina, Volodymyr Ilin, Natalia Ivanova, Samira Llamas, Seung Jung Woo, Minjeong Kang, Chikako Kitajima, Gladys Mendivil, Hanna Mashkina, Jose Raul Rendon, Jaime Reyes, Grisel Ramirez, Luz Rojas, Alla Rostovska, Jose Alfredo Torres, Maria Sulima Porter, Rosalba Vargas, Jade Sanchez, Haeron Seo, Zoriana Shevchuk, Natalia Pylypets, Vivian Olmos, Javier Olmos, Tetiana Ospenko, Karina Nunez, Candelaria Jimenez, Hyejung Yu, Yen Vasquez, Deysi Vasquez, José Marcario Vasquez, Leann Weeks, Nan Li, and Yeju Lee.
For more information about the Adult Education Program or ESL instruction, call 423.354.5364 or email AdultEd@NortheastState.edu.
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