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Archbishop José H. Gomez announces the start of the “MATT Maestro en Casa (Teacher at Home),” English program as Dr. Chávez, president and CEO of the MACC; and Aracely Garcia-Granados, executive director of MATT, look on Oct. 20.
Jordan McMorrough | Today's Catholic |
SAN ANTONIO • The Archdiocese of San Antonio and Mexicans and Americans Thinking Together (MATT) announced the launch of “MATT Maestro en Casa (Teacher at Home),” a free-English program which began airing Oct. 20 on Guadalupe Radio Network.
The Texas-based, Spanish-language stations – KWMF 1380 AM in San Antonio, KJON 850 AM in Dallas-Fort Worth, and KVDG 90.9 FM in Midland – will transmit the pilot project to help Spanish-speaking individuals integrate into American society by teaching practical and simple English-language courses. Texas is the first state to air the English-teaching program, which is planned to expand to other key states with high-density Latino populations.
“We are extremely pleased and honor to partner with the archdiocese is this worthy effort,” says Aracely Garcia-Granados, executive director of MATT, who first learned about a similar program in Panama and worked with the Instituto Panameno de Educacion por Radio (IPER), who developed the program.
“Having a radio program like ‘Maestro en Casa’ is the answer for both young and adults who have not had the opportunity to learn English,” commented Garcia-Granados. “Trust is an important element in the Latino community and that is why we decided to approach our board member, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, about getting his support for the program.”
“We know that the immigrant experience is one of dislocation, disorientation and much struggle – largely due to the inability to understand the culture and the language of the new home country,” said Archbishop Gomez, who spearheaded the “Maestro en Casa” initiative on behalf of MATT. “This initiative is close to my heart because it deals with the core issue of communication, which is essential for any human being in order to survive and succeed.”
“MATT Maestro en Casa” was adapted to suit lifestyles and circumstances of the United States so that lessons not only teach the basics of the English language but also provide information and insight into practical situations experienced in everyday life in America. Lessons focus on scenarios such as health care, opening a bank account, and registering children in school.
The lessons air three times a week – Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday – from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Lessons can also be heard online at www.maestroencasa.org to help accommodate people’s schedules. The lessons are supplemented with workbooks that are obtained free at MATT or through various parishes and community organizations that have agreed to help distribute the materials.
Attending the launch Oct. 10 at the Mexican American Catholic College (MACC), in addition to Garcia-Granados and Archbishop Gomez, were Dr. Arturo Chavez, president and CEO of MACC; Texas Secretary of State Esperanza “Hope” Andrade; Julie Gonzalez Revilla, Board member of Instituto Panameno de Educacion por Radio; Congressman Charlie Gonzalez; and San Antonio City Councilwomen Mary Alice Cisneros.