A friend of mine once told me the true story of a simple worker from a rural town who ordered a wife from Russia over the Internet. She was the perfect match for him – a simple and naïve girl from a village. She did not speak English, and he spoke nothing else. Since no ESL classes were offered in his area, he compromised by signing his wife up for Spanish lessons – stupid, sad, and funny. Nonetheless, this is what the future looks like for immigrants who come to the United States with no English-language skills because state governments are cutting funding for educational programs – especially those geared towards adults.  

Under the budget proposed by Governor David Paterson, New York will receive $8.6 million instead of $13 million, resulting in three ESL programs shutting down right away. At the city level, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has not included any programs in his budget to support English-language courses, which were previously allocated $7 million.

Svetlana's mother, Nina, arrived from the Ukraine nine months ago to reunite with her family. She spoke no English, and even after she had learned several crucial phrases, she was still too shy to use them in front of people. Her daughter had to take her everywhere, from the store, to the hospital and the bank. But Svetlana could not babysit forever, and Nina – a healthy and energetic person – was fed up with the situation as well.  

Svetlana signed her mother up for the same free English classes that she had taken when she came to America. "I am so thankful to our teacher, William, for helping me overcome the language barrier. I am no longer scared to ask salespeople questions. I have gained complete independence. I have found a job. Even though I work with Russian-speaking immigrants, I still use English by helping elderly people understand documents, teaching them how to write checks, and other small things," said Nina.

She started to study English as a beginner, and is now at the third level and has three months of advanced study left before completing the program. Unfortunately, she probably will not be able to finish the ESL course in light of recent events.

"I think I was lucky – at least I learned how to speak, and I even watch American movies on TV. What would have happened if I had come a little bit later? I would have been afraid to show myself on the street," said Nina empathetically. She has great sympathy for new immigrants who will not be able to take free English classes at all and will have to struggle as non-English speakers for much longer.

Margie McHugh, co-director of the National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy at the Migration Policy Institute, pointed out that ESL programs are also under threat in other areas of the country. In California, for example, their fate has already been decided – the state government has elected not to support language courses.  

In New York, the most concentrated melting pot of America, immigrants can still find some comfort with the mere hope that the local government will come to its senses and add ESL funds to the budget. Anthony Ng, deputy director of Policy and Advocacy at United Neighborhood Houses, noted that language programs were not included in last years draft budget, but were added later on.

Immigrants aspire to learn the official language of the country they live in; however, organizations constantly find themselves with an influx of people and cannot offer classes to all the people who register for them. For example, several hundred people study English at the Shorefront YM-YWHA in Brighton Beach, while approximately the same number is on a waiting list. Suzanne Fox, the director of this organization, noted that immigrants strive to learn English not just to advance their careers, but also to become fully assimilated in this country. "Any cuts in funding mean that many people will be left without the help they need," she said. 

While the "Sword of Damocles" looms over the shoulders of New Yorkers, it has already fallen in California. Under the recently approved budget, funding for ESL classes has been reduced by 15 percent, with an additional 5 percent in cuts planned. According to Matthew Smith, president of California Council for Adult Education (CCAE), city colleges and school districts handle language programs for immigrants. The former use the funding they receive at their own discretion, and they will most likely use this money to cover gaps in the K-12 education program and not for ESL courses. "That's how bad things are here in our state," said Smith. 

Immigrant and immigrant-rights organizations agree that the need to know the country's official language increases notably during an economic crisis. After all, immigrants, like everyone else during a time like this, find themselves in stiff competition with others and resort to insurmountable measures to achieve what they want and need. "English classes are being cut at exactly the time we need them most," worried Daycy Avitia, coordinator of Education Policy for the New York Immigration Coalition. She hopes that the state government will come to its senses and allocate enough money to fund ESL courses. Otherwise, new immigrants, like the ones in the story my friend told me, will have to sign up for Spanish lessons.