Schools aim to break language barrier

This education director understands how hard it is for immigrants to become proficient in English and how important it is. DP

By Nicole Geary, Lansing State Journal

LSJ.com: Sergio Keck came to the United States from Argentina when he was 14.

He didn't want to leave his friends, to learn another language, to start fresh.

More than 20 years later, he's using that understanding to build new programs and awareness as the Lansing School District's bilingual education director.

He was a teacher and principal before taking the job just last school year.

"Research says they can learn English in two years," Keck said of young immigrants. "But to express themselves in academic English, it takes about seven years. We need to make sure they can read and especially write at a proficient level."

Serving Spanish-speaking students is important not only for their success, but for the district's.
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