By Misty Shultz/reporter2@trcle.com
September 10, 2007 01:41 pm
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In an attempt to offer a resource to immigrants, free English classes will be taught at the Johnson County Republican Party Headquarters in Cleburne.
“One of the big issues in the public eye is immigration,” Johnson County GOP Chairman Dan Hunt said. “If we are going to make a big deal about immigrants learning English, then we need to provide ways for them to learn it.”
Maryjane Brady of Alvarado will teach conversational English to adults. She presented the idea to the party’s executive committee in August, and the committee allowed her to hold the classes at the headquarters, 210 S. Main St.
“Maryjane has done this type of work in her life, and we thought since she is willing to invest her time, we wanted to provide a place for the classes,” said Roy Giddens, treasurer of the Johnson County Republican Party. “If she can help people learn English, that’s wonderful.”
Hunt said the executive committee believes Brady’s idea is fantastic.
“This is a way to provide service to the community with very little expense,” he said. “It is a very valuable service.”
Brady, who has been known to put on tap shoes and dress like a clown to entertain others, said she wants the classes to be interactive and fun for her students.
“I believe in animated teaching to illustrate language,” she said. “I love playing with language. It is such a fun thing to me.”
While living in Mexico, Brady taught three children to speak English. The experience gave her a desire to teach English to people who live in Johnson County.
“I love working with Mexicans,” she said. “They have such a wonderful sense of humor.”
Basic conversational English will be taught through jokes, songs, pictures, fill-in-the-blank worksheets and conversation.
Beginners will be separated from more advanced speakers so those who are more advanced can move as fast as they are able, she said.
Students will need to come twice a week to maintain progress, Brady said. They will have homework and would benefit from having someone at home who can work with them, she said.
“This is a way for the Republican Party to show the Hispanic community that we are here and they can interact with us,” Hunt said. “They will be able to hear directly from us and learn what we are about.”
Classes will be held from 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Tuesday. For information, call Brady at 817-783-7228.
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