Houston Dynamo players learn English at HCC
Sep 13, 2016
A big part of winning for any soccer team comes down to the camaraderie between the players, but for many Houston Dynamo teammates there is another factor that, at times, unites them - a language barrier.
Dynamo defender Agustín Garcia Iñiguez is from Spain and forward Mauro Manotas is from Colombia. For both, adjusting to a new life in the United States can be a challenge.
“It is very difficult for me to speak English, but I am trying,” said Iñiguez, also known as Agus.
That’s where The Corporate College at Houston Community College (HCC) comes into play by offering a Workplace English course through a partnership with the Dynamo.
“We help them practice their English; not just with reading, but with the speaking component as well to make them understandable to others,” said Veronica Trujillo, HCC corporate trainer. “We focus on what they deal with in their daily life and try to make it fun.”
The soccer stars wrapped up the first 62-hour, customized course at the Houston Sports Park, where they train. Both Agus and Manotas enjoyed the small, more personalized feel to the class which at the most, had six students. Because the classes are customized to fit the needs of the customer, allowances were made to accommodate changes in the schedule.
“We are so pleased to have a role in helping players realize their goal of speaking English; not only at work, but also during everyday activities,” said Jennifer Holmes, director, The Corporate College at HCC. “When we conducted our initial language assessments, we most often heard, ‘I just want to order from the menu in a restaurant in English’.”
That’s exactly some of what they learned, along with how to communicate with their bosses, teammates, and with the media.
“The commitment from Houston Community College and this partnership has been essential because HCC instructors have been able to come here and work with our players on site,” said Matt Jordan, Dynamo General Manger/Vice President. “It’s been a wonderful partnership and we are so appreciative of it.”
Jordan added that the goal of the program is not only to help the players integrate within the city and the team; but to also carry this experience with HCC as English speakers long after they hang up their cleats.
“I can now speak with my teammates and coaches. I need language not only to play soccer but for my life after soccer,” said Agus.
The Corporate College at HCC structures a program for companies and organizations by adjusting to their needs and schedules of their associates. Just like Garcia Iñiguez and Manotas, the language tools they receive are essential to their future success on and off the field.
To learn about training opportunities through the Corporate College at HCC, visit hccs.edu/corporate-college.