Talking the talk
at Holy Family

By Lauren Fritsky
Times Staff Writer

Barscy Minoza likes writing.
She did a lot of it in the Philippines, from where she emigrated last year. She practiced in both her native language and in English.
"Even in the Philippines, we used to write English," said Minoza, 16. "They start (teaching) English from kindergarten."
But that didn’t stop her from wanting to refine her English skills before starting her sophomore year at South Philadelphia High School.
So, Minoza has spent the last five weeks at Holy Family University with 19 other students from a dozen countries all focused on mastering one language.
"I’m learning a lot," Minoza said.
The college ran its first Summer English Language Enrichment Program through a partnership with the School District of Philadelphia, which supplied a bilingual counselor and transportation. The program ends this week.
The bright, college-bound students hail from various Asian, Middle Eastern, African and South American countries and attend Northeast, Olney, Girls, South Philadelphia and Thomas Edison high schools.
Dr. Roger Gee, an associate professor of education and ESL certification specialist at the college, said the school district approached him in June about running the program. The college also operates another student ESL program with students from Northeast High School.
"Each (high) school was approached for students with academic promise who needed language enrichment," Gee said.
Ana Sainz De La Pena, director of the district’s Office of Language, Culture and the Arts, said she wanted a program that helped high-achieving students instead of remedial ones. More than 13 percent of the district’s student population speaks English as a second language.
"We wanted a more clear objective of preparing our students to improve their writing and critical reading skills," said Sainz De La Pena.
The school district ran other language programs this summer, including an English enrichment and leadership institute at Villanova University and two language immersion camps for English-speaking students in first through fourth grades who want to learn Spanish and Chinese.
The students at Holy Family practiced writing and reading exercises alone and in groups. The program culminated in the completion of a bound book report about each student’s culture. The eager learners also sharpened their computer skills and took field trips to local colleges.
"It’s a great opportunity," said writing instructor Brenda Hurley, an adjunct professor at Holy Family. "I can’t tell you how great (the students) are."
Learning the differences among cultures proved interesting for both students and instructors.
"People from Cambodia have different traditions than people from China," said Elsi Padilla, a bilingual counselor assistant based at South Philadelphia High School. "In the Philippines, divorce is illegal. The culture and the traditions about marriage (and) death are different."
Padilla thinks the program helped unify students, some of whom immigrated under tough circumstances.
"Sometimes they have their families with them," Padilla said. "Some are refugees."
Omar Abdelhafez, 15, admits he didn’t know much English when he emigrated from Palestine last year. The rising Olney High School junior favors math and is thinking about becoming a dentist.
"It’s good. It gives me more words for my vocabulary," he said of the program.
Minoza, the Philippine immigrant, wouldn’t mind pursuing writing as a career.
"My mom and dad want me to be a nurse. I want to write," she said with a smile.
Sainz De La Pena wants to work ahead of time to get the program back to Holy Family next year. She plans to reach out to more students and parents and examine additional host sites.
"We do have many students who can benefit from this enrichment program," she said. "It’s just a matter of starting earlier to recruit them." ••
Reporter Lauren Fritsky can be reached at 215-354-3038 or lfritsky@phillynews.com