MITRA TAJ/Arizona Daily Wildcat Junior Rachel Miller, codirector of Project Converse, reads with Manuela Beltran, a cleaner in the student union food court. "I'm trying to learn English to communicate better with my kids, grandkids, and coworkers," Beltran said.

Project Converse offers help learning English language

Rosadalia Berrang slowly chose her words to describe the appreciation she felt for the UA students who were volunteering their time to teach her English on a Tuesday evening.

"The teachers are beautiful. They teach very well," she said.

Berrang is one of about 12 UA employees who are tutored every Tuesday and Thursday night by student volunteers as part of a program called Project Converse.

Qian Leng and Rachel Miller, co-directors of Project Converse, said they want to "build bridges across cultures" by addressing communication problems they've seen some employees struggle with.

Volunteers, also called "conversation buddies," tutor UA employees who don't know much English. They provide individual attention that balances the grammar and vocabulary focus of the rest of the class, said Leng, a Spanish linguistics and molecular and cellular biology senior.

"I wish I were able to say what I want. I like attending to customers, but sometimes I can't say some things like I'd like to," said Olga Rodriguez, a cook at Cafe Sonora. "And maybe if my English improves, I could get an even better job than the one I have now."

Rodriguez, a native of Sonoita, Sonora, said she has worked at the Student Union Memorial Center for six to seven years, the first work experience she has had.

Berrang said she has received free English classes through other non-profit organizations, like her church, but thinks the Project Converse classes are the best.

"I've never been so comfortable in a class," said Berrang, adding that she likes the dynamic that a number of volunteers bring to the class.

Lisa McPhee, a freshman majoring in religious studies and Spanish, was found Tuesday with a handful of her students in a fit of laughter after class. She said she volunteers because it's fun.

"It's helping my own Spanish a lot," McPhee said.

"The learning that takes place there is a two-way street," said Lupita Lopez, senior supervisor of the student union dining services department.

Demand from employees enthusiastic about the class pushed Miller, a primary education junior, and Leng to offer two classes per week that last an hour and a half, up from just one hour-long class per week. There are about 12 students who attend regularly, most of them women.

"The fact that they've increased hours this semester means so much," Lopez said.

Even though the hours have been extended, the program still cannot accommodate everyone who wants to join.

Cecilia Martinez, a student union janitor who usually works until 11 p.m., is interested in the class, but she can't attend because of scheduling problems.

"I've been needing help with English for a long time," she said.

The native of Cananea, Sonora, said she has lived in the United States for 21 years.

"It's frustrating ÷ not understanding everything my own children say, for example," she said.

Martinez, like a number of student union employees, said paying for English classes isn't an option. Formal classes are too expensive and time-consuming. The Center for English as a Second Language charges around $4,000 for a full semester of 22-hour-per-week classes.

Leng said more classes might be a possibility next semester, but he would need more volunteers.

Leng and Miller said they hope this cooperative feeling will translate into a better university community.

"The workers and students bring two different cultures together," Miller said. "We want friendships and trust to be built between teachers and students."