The Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center is among several nonprofits in Massachusetts offering free English classes aimed at preparing immigrant students for college and jobs. But as the influx of immigrants to Massachusetts – including undocumented migrants – has increased, so has the demand for English lessons. And now many nonprofit groups like BCNC say Massachusetts is in a state of crisis when it comes to providing English classes to the people who need them most. Case in point: BCNC is currently only able to address about 10% of the community need, said Stephen Hunter, director of adult education at BCNC.
How big is the problem? Over the last 20 years, the population of people needing English education jumped by 50%, while at the same time state funding for English lessons per adult learner fell by 25% and federal funding to Massachusetts fell by 40%, according to a recent MassINC report. This lack of funding has led to a lack of adequate English education services in communities across Massachusetts, according to the report. In fact, over 20,000 immigrants across Massachusetts are currently waiting to be accepted into state-funded English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, according to according to the Massachusetts Coalition for Adult Education. For many, this wait has stretched to months, even years, and prevented the immigrants from finding jobs, securing housing, and receiving an education.
BCNC, for example, worked with Sylvie, an immigrant from Haiti who arrived in Boston with two children. At the beginning, because of her work schedule, her parenting responsibilities, and her English classes, Sylvie was only able to sleep two to three hours a night on the days she worked. She was offered a job at a Mass General Brigham hospital as an administrative secretary. Now, she can provide for her family more easily, care for her children, and maintain her health. But her story is becoming increasingly rare.
“This is not academic enrichment so much as it’s survival English,” said Mario T., a Boston area ESOL teacher, who declined to give his last name. “These students need to get jobs and adapt to life in this country.”
In response, Gov. Maura Healey’s administration has introduced the English Works program, bringing basic English instruction to the immigrants staying in the state’s emergency shelters. The classes combine online and in-person learning with an emphasis on readying students for employment. According to the governor’s office, around 1,250 have enrolled in these lessons since November 2023.
But the reality is that Massachusetts is woefully underprepared, a result of showing little foresight in keeping up with changing demographics. For example, the report found that Springfield and Lynn have 10 instructional seats per 1,000 immigrant adults who need language education; Revere has one; and other communities like Salem and Everett have no public providers at all. The federal government gives Massachusetts around $10 million annually for ESOL classes, $35 million short of what the state actually spends. Even the $45 million that Massachusetts spends annually, as we can see, is far from enough.
In the meantime, others have stepped in to help. One such organization is the nonprofit English for New Bostonians, who operates 11 shelters across the state and recently implemented a 12-week pilot program of English instruction. The group is working to accommodate some of the 20,000 people who are waiting to get into state-funded ESOL classes, but the funding for these smaller organizations is a fraction of what they need to expand.
The MassINC report goes on to outline a list of recommendations for improvement, including an increase in investment, collaboration, and research for ESOL. Most importantly, a statewide expansion of ESOL services is needed, and a lead agency designated to oversee its implementation, according to the report.
“It’s difficult to predict if a change in federal leadership will directly lead to state leaders prioritizing ESOL classes for newly arrived students,” said Hunter. “What is clear is that leaders must understand the complexities of the issue. ESOL education is crucial for economic stability and for thriving in the United States.”