MATC apologizes for sparking frustration after announcing major changes to its ESL program
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) responded after teachers and students voiced their concerns earlier this week after major changes to their "English as a Second Language," or "ESL," program were announced.
'ESL' is a nationwide program that offers international students the chance to learn English or improve their English language skills. At the MATC Walker's Square campus, cuts were made, about two weeks prior to the semester starting. CBS 58 News learned that some teachers were let go, class schedules changed and fewer people were able to enroll.
MATC issued a statement Friday afternoon saying:
"Milwaukee Area Technical College continues to offer English as a Second Language (ESL) at our Walker’s Square location and we are investing in the future of the program there, including through an additional full-time ESL instructor and a full-time bilingual communications instructor this Fall.
In this current semester, Spring 2023, an error was made in budgeting for faculty meant that we did not have enough faculty budgeted to teach all the originally scheduled ESL classes at Walker’s Square and community partner sites.
When we realized this error, we made adjustments within two weeks which allowed us to offer 20 of the 24 originally-scheduled ESL classes at Walker’s Square this semester. We are in the process of providing an additional faculty assignment to assist with offering some additional ESL sections including at partner sites.
That said, we recognize that this resulted in negative consequences this semester for students, employees and the community. We want to acknowledge and apologize for the pain, frustration and disruption that this caused. Our intention moving forward is to maintain a strong commitment to ESL classes at Walker’s Square and throughout the district."
Francisco Aguilar is a former graduate from the program. He said he largely owes his success to the program after he and his brother came to Milwaukee from Mexico back in 2000.
"Education, what we began to study, what we started implementing, gives an idea that you can do better things," expressed Francisco Aguilar in Spanish, a graduate from the MATC ESL program.
Aguilar and his brother now own their own clothing graphics print shop called "Milwaukee Rag."
"There are people who hesitate a lot to start a business, they have to learn English, so do not cut that because it would be like cutting off opportunities," he said.
Aguilar, alongside teachers, students and advocates from the non-profit Voces de la Frontera attended a district-wide hearing Tuesday hoping to spark change.
He said he hopes school officials see the impact of their decisions and choose not to limit others from acquiring a basic education in English.
"They are not careers that are costly to the state, it is simply to give people the opportunity to feel included...also, the fact that it is so difficult to do so makes us more marginalized," Aguilar added.