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Formentera offers extra language help for schools' newest arrivals

foto acolliment ling 2018The Formentera Council's social welfare department reports that students can begin enrolment tomorrow, Friday October 5, for the latest round of “language integration” classes. Department head Vanessa Parellada and instructor/coordinator Maria Isabel Jiménez met today to unveil the project, aimed as a leg-up for recently arrived learners on the island.

Extra help for language learners
Given heightened rates of school failure and early school leaving among young immigrants, a potential hindrance to development in both the financial and social spheres, the immigration arm of the Council fashioned the present initiative as a way to offer support for some of the needs specific to that community.

Aims of assistance
Beginning October 15 and running through the school year, this year's programme purports to offer extra help to Formentera's newest arrivals at the primary and secondary level.

According to instructor/coordinator Maria Isabel Jiménez, “the classes are a resource for anyone who might benefit from improved reading, writing and oral comprehension in Catalan” and anyone in need of assistance meeting the levels required at schools.

The courses are seen as a way not only to improve classroom learning, but also to advance participants' social integration, for, in the words of Parellada, “proper integration in the schoolyard tends to mean good things for the entire family's success integrating”.

Adapted to the academic level of each student, instruction is meant to promote teamwork; level the playing field between students and foment positive attitudes among new students regarding Catalan, the working language at schools in the Balearics.

Signups
Enrolment for the courses will be handled at the social welfare department (conselleria de Benestar Social, vénda des Brolls, 53), Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 2.00pm. Enrolment opens this Friday October 5 and extends to Friday October 12.

More information is available by phoning 971 32 12 71 or emailing rescolar@conselldeformentera.cat

The location of classes will depend on the need and number of students registered.