This August, a dozen youth will graduate from an exciting new program called Youth Language Link that provides free English language classes to Miami Beach students with low English proficiency, as part of the city’s Success University Program.
This graduation celebration will be held on Thursday, August 14 at 3:35 p.m. in EC English Language Center’s Miami Beach location at 1111 Lincoln Rd #301, Miami Beach, FL.
The graduation ceremony is the culmination of five weeks of intensive English classes, which provided 12 students with practical, professional language instruction from EC English Language Center’s specially trained staff every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Youth Language Link was developed by the City of Miami Beach and EC English Language Center to address the need for English language skills in middle and high school students in Miami Beach. Through the Success University program, which assists children and their families with all of their needs to ensure academic and personal success, the City found that many school-age children without sufficient English skills experienced an array of challenges as a result of their discomfort with the English language, including academic failure, bullying, low self-esteem, and school refusal behavior.
As a result of their participation in Youth Language Link, students will exhibit greater mastery of the English language as indicated by specific metrics included in EC’s curriculum. Additional direct results may include increased school attendance, improved self-esteem, better academic performance, and improved classroom behavior.
In addition, EC staff will select one scholarship winner who will receive 10 one-on-one additional English tutoring sessions, valid for up to one year. The winner of the scholarship will be announced at the graduation ceremony on August 14.
The value of the full scope of services is $20,150 and the program was offered free of charge to parents and students. Students also received transportation assistance courtesy of the City.
For more information contact Talmage Thornhill, Office of Community Services, City of Miami Beach, at 305.673.7491 or talmagethornhill@miamibeachfl.gov.
