Montgomery County awarded $1.4 million in grant money in partnership with the Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy (MCAEL) to 21 organizations that support adult English language learning.
The 21 organizations provide 27 total programs supporting English language learning in the county, according to a press release from the Montgomery County government.
The MCAEL grants seek to increase both availability and quality of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs aimed at helping ESOL students in their roles as parents, employees and community members.
“MCAEL’s work to promote literacy and break down language barriers improves the lives of program participants and the interconnectedness of our community,” County Council President Evan Glass said in the release.
Beneficiaries of the local ESOL programs said improving their communication skills helped them get better jobs, speak with their children’s teachers and feel more comfortable in public settings.
Recipients of the grant include CASA Life Skills and Workforce ESOL programs, Impact Silver Spring, City of Light Helping Hands and more. Visit MCAEL’s website to learn more about the grant and its recipients.
