English is the 鈥渓anguage of opportunity.鈥� That鈥檚 a line from Aurora鈥檚 10-year Immigrant Integration Plan. Before creating this plan, the city conducted focus groups in 2019 with community members and found the two top priorities for immigrants and refugees were learning English and finding employment.
Research shows that immigrants who are proficient in English . Not only can they better support their families but the city of Aurora benefits too. The more money residents make, the more they can spend, and the more the city prospers.
To help foreign-born residents succeed, Aurora鈥檚 integration plan emphasizes education. How well are schools serving Aurora鈥檚 immigrant families?
The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome episode three looks at efforts by two educational institutions and some of the unique challenges facing first and second-generation African students.
鈥淎 first generation African kid, my child can tell you, that goes to school acting like an American and then comes home and has to act like an African kid,鈥� said Anne Keke, an immigrant from C么te d'Ivoire and Aurora Public Schools Board of Education Director.
Links and credits
Salwa on social media:
- on Facebook
- on Instagram
Also in this episode:
- Community College of Aurora:
- Aurora Public Schools:
- Village Exchange Center:
The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome is a production from KUNC. It was written and reported by Stephanie Daniel. Editing by Johanna Zorn. Fact-checking by Cat Jaffee with additional help from Adam Rayes. This season's theme song was composed by Jason Paton, who also sound designedand mixed the episode. Additional music was composed by Matthew Simonson. Ashley Jefcoat is the digital editor. Special thanks to Chandra Whitfield, Robert Leja, Kyle Cunningham and Kim Rais. Sean Corcoran is KUNC鈥檚 news director. Tammy Terwelp is KUNC鈥檚 president and CEO.
