With 46 percent of the population in Gaithersburg claiming English as a second language the county is pushing for more programs offering English classes for residents.
In Gaithersburg alone, the population is 38 percent foreign born, according to the latest census conducted in 2010.
As the county moves to provide effective programs for the area some residents embrace the diversity and view the growing population as a positive development.
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“I don’t see it as being too much of a drastic change, things change and we have to adapt,” said Louis Jolly. “It’s a positive thing to have diversity in our area, I can go to one area and enjoy the Hispanic culture and easily go to another and it be something completely different.”
Diversity may be one of the benefits of having residents in the area that speak a different language, but to some this isn’t the views that are being taken.
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“Diversity? Sure,” said Sandra Mills, resident of the Gaithersburg area. “It may be a good thing to have diversity, but I don’t want to have issues with communication, that’s really my only concern.”
The concern that Mills demonstrates is that of growing concern among many other residents in the area.
To help residents the city of Gaithersburg is working with local groups such as the Chinese Culture and Community Center, Spanish Catholic Center, English House, Emory Grove Center, Gaithersburg Library Language Laboratory, Ed Bohrer Parent Resource Center and Epworth Methodist Church to provide courses in English.
“We offer different tests on different levels for those interested in our services,” said Cathy Bias, employee at the Spanish Catholic Center. “The test itself consists of several comprehensive questions that last about an hour.”
For most programs only a small fee is needed and residents are able to choose from a variety of proficiency levels classes.
The cost of the test at the Spanish Catholic Center costs about $30 and has four different programs that are split into smaller groups depending on what specifics the person may need help with, according to Bias.
The programs are available for residents all year round and deal with all different levels of English.
