LOP In Action: Ms. Z's Path to Public Service

LOP's curriculum focuses on helping students gain relevant, real-world language skills. Students want to improve their English skills for practical purposes - surveys of student goals consistently rank "economic improvement" and "increased ability to use English in daily living situations" as top priorities. For Ms. Z, a recent arrival from Colombia, this real-world focus led to a tangible result: a job in local government.

When Ms. Z arrived in the United States less than a year ago, she had a strong background as a social worker and researcher in Colombia. For over six years, she had worked with vulnerable populations, focusing on issues like armed conflict and human trafficking. In her new home in Maryland, she faced a new challenge: navigating the U.S. job market in a second language.

Ms. Z decided to improve her language skills through an ESL class with LOP. This summer, she enrolled in an intermediate course that focused on developing practical language skills, using real-world materials and job listing websites to develop vocabulary, grammar, and more.

Ms. Z's hard work paid off. She was able to successfully apply for, interview, and receive a job as a social worker in local government, returning to her roots in community service in her new home.

“I had been unemployed for a few months,” Ms. Z shared in an email to her teacher, “and during that time I focused on improving my communication skills. In addition to learning English, I learned how to look for a job, prepare for an interview, and everything related to applying for a job. I am very grateful for what I have learned.”

Best of luck to Ms. Z in her new position!