Website for Learners in New York City
(Posted May, 2003)

Since September 11, 2001, many workers in New York City have lost their jobs.

Late last year, a new adult education program was started to help unemployed people with limited English skills. Called STEP ("Skills Training for Employment Program"), the program provides ESL (English as a second language), computer, and job-skills training.

Most of the learners are garment workers whose factories closed in the past year. Most of them also come from China and are only beginning-level English speakers. And most of them are women.

In the program, the students wrote stories, took photos, went on field trips, and wrote letters to Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the United Nations. Some of the students visited the United Nations Building to celebrate the launching of the International Decade of Literacy.

Many of the learners also began learning computer skills for the first time. They are now practicing alongside their children on their home computers.

The program set up a website to show the learners’ work. Go to www.easternlincs.org/step to see some adult learners in New York City.

Revised 5/22/03