University Settlement New York, NY

The students are studying level 1 ESL/Adult Literacy at the Eldridge Street location of University Settlement.  Most have been in the country fewer than five years.  They commit to a nine-month language immersion class that meets every Saturday and Sunday morning for three hours.  All but one are married and most have young children.  In addition to attending school and caring for their families, they hold full and part-time jobs.  As their English improves they will start thinking about attending college and pursuing more lucrative careers.