Juan Caldazo will never be left speechless again.
Speaking about his newly renewed confidence with the English language, Caldazo delivered one of three graduation speeches during the English Language Institute graduation Aug. 25.
The ELI program, run by the Continuing Education program at the U, is composed entirely of adult students. Caldazo was one of the many who attended the two-hour classes every week for eight months.
Although Caldazo had taken English classes before he moved from Mexico two years ago, he wanted to become fluent to make his life a little easier.
“Now, I am able to communicate with my co-workers better,” said Caldazo, who works with AKI Construction. “Being comfortable with the language has made it easier to be more successful in my job.”
Seventeen other graduates from several different countries joined Caldazo during the ceremony in the Union ballroom.
Among them was Caldazo’s wife, Jacqueline.
Hiring a babysitter to take care of their children during their ELI class, the Caldazos committed themselves to learning English.
When asked which of the two speaks better now, Juan Caldazo immediately said his wife.
“I just talk more,” she said. “Juan actually knows grammar better.”
But although they talk to each other in their newly acquired language, both Juan Caldazo and Jacqueline Caldazo expressed the importance of speaking Spanish with their children: three girls ranging from 2 to 10 years old.
“We want them to be bilingual so that they can understand more things and talk to more people,” Juan Caldazo said. “We want them to understand the importance of language.”
Assistant President for Academic Affairs Theresa Martinez congratulated the graduates and the Caldazos for their accomplishments.
“Take this opportunity that you’ve been given and the diploma that you’ve received to grow, expand and succeed,” she said.
She also recognized a former ELI student who graduated last year.
Maria Fernanda Gomez, who was part of ELI’s third year, was recently admitted to the BYU law school.
ELI is in partnership with Zions Bank, which provided some of the students with scholarships.
Scott Anderson, president and CEO of Zions Bank, encouraged the fourth generation of ELI graduates to continue their education, whether it is in the English language or not.
“Continue to learn. Deepen your ethical and moral sensitivity,” Anderson said. “Remember that the most important part of an education at any level is to learn the significance of your life through self-discovery.”
Juan Caldazo plans to apply to the U during the fall of 2007. He would like to major in computer engineering.
Lennie MahlerA group of 17 students from the English Language Institute, part of the U’s Continuing Education program, participate in a graduation ceremony held Thursday in the Union Ballroom.