Literacy
Many adults from Latin America who are now living in the United States began working at a very young age in their native countries. Unable to complete their basic education, they arrive with limited literacy in Spanish or in their indigenous languages.
Research shows that literacy in one's primary language significantly improves the ability to acquire and master another language. We place great value on the development and preservation of our students' primary language skills.
Downtown Languages offers a holistic program that addresses the unique needs of these learners and gives them a pathway to further their education.
Our literacy classes are taught by caring and patient professional language educators. Students improve their skills and gain the confidence they need to reach their personal, academic, and career goals.
Heritage Spanish
This course is designed for native Spanish speakers who have little or no primary education. In a supportive, engaging environment students develop reading, writing, basic math, and other fundamental learning skills. They quickly gain confidence and improve their skills sufficient to enter a program to earn their primary and secondary diplomas.
Plaza Comunitaria
Downtown Languages is the official site of the Plaza Comunitaria in Lane County. The Plaza is an extension of the Mexican public education system that offers students the opportunity to obtain their official primary or secondary diplomas through internet-based study modules. Though the Plaza is set up as an independent study program, Downtown Languages provides instructors to mentor students as they work through the program.
Students develop traditional and computer literacy as they work at their own pace in Spanish to earn their Mexican diplomas. Students who earn a secondary diploma through the Plaza are well prepared to begin a GED program.
High School Equivalency Program Preparation
Designed in collaboration with the High School Equivalency Program (HEP) at the University of Oregon, this class helps native Spanish speakers gain the math and reading skills needed to pass the HEP entrance exam and begin studying for their GED. The class is taught by a bilingual educator who provides individualized attention to the students.
