Middlesex Community College: Student Improves English Skills And Prepares For College At MCC

Press release from the Middlesex Community College:

Caitlin Buckley

12/8/2021

When he first moved from Cambodia to the United States, Kimheng Ly wanted to grow confident in his English language skills. At Middlesex Community College, he has been given the space and support to advance his English communication skills while also remaining connected to his Cambodian roots.

“The reason that I chose MCC is because I heard there were a lot of Cambodian students at the school,” he said. “Here at MCC, I can speak Khmer with other students. It has been a place of comfort for new immigrant students like me seeking higher education.”

Now living in Lowell, Ly’s first experience taking classes at Middlesex involved participating in the college’s Prepare to Attend College (PAC) program. Part of MCC’s English Learner Institute (IEI), PAC is a free noncredit program dedicated to helping students develop their basic English skills to help them succeed at the U.S. higher education level.

Through his work in his classes – as well as watching movies and listening to music in English ––¬ Ly is improving his English communication skills every day. At MCC, he has also found that his favorite way to practice the language is through communicating with others – whether in his classes or as a member of the Asian Students in Alliance (ASIA) club at Middlesex.

Advisors of the ASIA club also introduced Ly to MCC’s Program for Asian American Student Advancement (PAASA) and Asian American Connections Center. In this space, Ly has found support and guidance from advisors and students who “speak my language and can teach me how to say or write something clearly in English.”

Meeting people who are from diverse backgrounds has helped Ly adjust to college life in the U.S. He also enjoyed eating lunch at the center and being part of a community where he can make friends and “feel connected on the campus.”

“They understand my culture and my struggles as a newcomer, and there are other students who are experiencing the same challenges as me,” he said. “It felt familiar and comfortable during a time where I felt so foreign.”

The Asian American Connections Center has also helped Ly hone his leadership and interpersonal skills, and attend workshops on topics that make his time at the college easier, such as financial aid, scholarships and civic engagement.

With his learning experiences and opportunities for advancement through PAASA, Ly is hoping MCC will help him “add more to my resume and provide me opportunities to participate in initiatives supporting Asian students on campus.”

One activity includes attending a field trip to celebrate Khmer New Year in a park in Lynn. While part of the trip was focused on cleaning up the park, Ly was also able to spend time playing with children in the community.

“ASIA created a ‘Mekong River’ game by building boats and fish made from cardboard that allowed participants to fish using magnetic rods,” he said. “This game helped to educate children about the importance of the river in Southeast Asia.”

Having completed the PAC program, Ly is now taking English Language Learner classes to advance his skills even further, including one course dedicated to reading and writing and another focused on editing and grammar.

Looking forward to the future, he is excited to take more classes for his Business Administration Transfer major at Middlesex, including in business, math and English.

“After I leave Middlesex, I want to transfer to a four-year institution and start working in my field of study,” he said. “[Taking classes in the U.S.] has provided me a lot of opportunities and new things I’ve never seen in my life before.”

MCC’s Business program helps students go into – and succeed in – the workforce or transfer to four-year schools with its award-winning and affordable offerings, small class sizes and flexible schedules. Visit https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/discover/dyp_business.aspx for more information and to discover your path to a Business degree at Middlesex.

Registration for MCC’s Wintersession and Spring 2022 semester – starting on Monday, January 3 and Monday, January 24 – are now open. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ or call 1-800-818-3434 for more information and to register for classes.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in education for more than 50 years. Middlesex puts the student first. Meeting each learner where they are, MCC provides them with a safe, welcoming and engaging place to learn. Offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – Middlesex features flexible course formats and a variety of award-winning student support services and resources. Student success starts at MCC!

This press release was produced by the Middlesex Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.