LEAP Tutoring-

Students who move here from another country often find themselves facing confusion in class and struggling to maintain their grades. It is not because of a difference in education or intelligence, but because of a language barrier. With the assistance of bilingual tutors, LEAP helps these students to improve their grades and master the English language through fun and exciting activities.

During the school year, an after-school program is held at Miami Middle, Northwood Middle, and South Side High Schools. At the end of the school day, students go to the LEAP classroom to receive homework help in a comfortable and familiar learning environment. They are surrounded by other students who face the same challenges and tutors who are sympathetic to their needs. Bilingual tutors and volunteers assist these students with their homework questions, encouraging them to find answers for themselves and teaching them study skills. If students do not have homework or finish before the tutoring program ends, the coordinators have a variety of fun and educational activities that are available to them. The LEAP after school tutoring program also offers numerous educational and recreational field trips as rewards for the students.

In the summer, United Hispanic Americans presents a 7-week LEAP summer program for middle and high school ENL students. This program is on-site at United Hispanic Americans and uses various interactive projects and activities structured to assist in vocabulary and grammar development. The program focuses on teaching students written and spoken English. Computer literacy, reading, science, and the arts are an integral part of the summer program, as well. Students participate in community volunteer events, have presentations from individuals throughout the community, and take educational and recreational field trips that give students the opportunity to explore career options, experience different cultures, and gain a better understanding of the local community.

LEAP is funded by a multi-year grant from the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant through the Indiana Department of Education. Additional and supplementary funding is provided by the Lincoln Foundation.

For more information about Middle School LEAP, contact Gladys Suarez. Email her at gsuarez@uha-bjc.org or call (260) 456-5000 ext. 312. For information about High School LEAP, contact Carlos Lanza at clanza@uha-bjc.org or (260) 456-5000 ext. 311.