COVINGTON, Ky. — Gateway Adult Education is bringing its free English as a Second Language (ESL) programs to Covington to assist English language learners in northern Kentucky.

Less than a month ago, 30-year-old Deivis Liscano left Venezuela for Kentucky in pursuit of better opportunities. “The hardest part of learning a new language is sometimes you feel some insecurities,” he said. However, every week, he shows up to class ready to learn all he can.

“I wanted to come here because I wanted to get better opportunities. I want to study. I want to improve myself and learn more,” Liscano added.

In northern Kentucky, language classes in person and online along with GED services are provided by Gateway Adult Education, a vital resource for many newcomers like Liscano. The program is entirely free for all students, according to Gateway Adult Education Director Gina DeWard.

“We just know that providing English language instruction to those in need is essential to our community’s success,” DeWard remarked.

Building learners’ confidence is crucial according to seasoned teacher Stephanie Cheeseman who oversees Gateways English Language Training (ELT) program. In order to accommodate the area’s increasing demand, she said the classes had to be expanded to Covington.

“It’s quite likely that you’ll met an individual for whom English is not their native language. Whether it’s at the supermarket, at the library, or just walking down the street. I encourage people to be patient. Learning a new language at any age is challenging,” Cheeseman said.

For Liscano, these classes are more than just language lessons, they are a way to build community. He said, “They’re so important to people that don’t know the language because you can express yourself, you can learn more culture.”