In a nation where the American Dream is often tied to economic success, language remains a significant barrier for many immigrants striving to achieve their goals. With about 47% of immigrants in the U.S. classified as Limited English Proficient (LEP) (from kff.org), millions find themselves in low-paying jobs, unable to fully utilize their skills. However, one innovative program is aiming to change this narrative — Anna Gandrabura‘s English For IT™.

Empowering Immigrants Through Specialized Language Training

Anna Gandrabura, an educator and entrepreneur based in Miami, Florida, has been a passionate advocate of English education for tech workers. She has been involved in numerous tech and education conferences such as Florida Literacy Conference and Immerse Global Summit as both a speaker and organizer. Her involvement in the burgeoning Miami tech scene made her realize there was a skill gap among the US immigrant population that she and her company were ideally suited to fill. Highly-skilled immigrant workers are often forced to take on jobs they are overqualified for due to the language barrier, while low-skilled immigrant workers are unable to access better career opportunities. Both of these issues reduce earning potential and result in a loss to the US economy. However, with English For IT™’s Tech ESL program, both language barriers and skill gaps can be addressed, fostering a more inclusive and competitive workforce.

The need for modern and industry-specific language education is further underscored by the important role that STEM jobs play in the US economy. STEM-related economic activity accounted for $9.45 trillion  of the U.S. economy in 2021, equal to 40.5% of US GDP as mentioned in a new study released by Science. This amounts to approximately $1.7 trillion in federal tax revenue each year. 

The STEM industry is rapidly growing. In 2023, the US invested $1.4 billion to accelerate STEM education and workforce development. Miami alone received a $10 million grant to create more jobs in tech. Anna and English For IT™ are part of Miami Tech Works which is responsible for this grant. 

The Tech ESL program offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes classroom, self-paced, and hybrid learning formats, ensuring that all learners can access the training they need how it suits them. This approach not only helps individuals improve their financial situation, but also addresses the critical tech talent shortage in the U.S.

The Broader Impact on the U.S. Economy

Here are a few compelling statistics that highlight the importance of the issues faced by the immigrant population, and the need for a broader inclusion of immigrants into the tech workforce:

• As of 2021, 67.3 million of U.S. residents spoke a language other than English at home, highlighting the vast population that could benefit from language education as stated by Center of Immigration Studies.
• Based on the SIPP in 2021, 14.8 percent of immigrant households were in poverty compared to 11.6 percent of the U.S.-born households while 42 percent of immigrant households vs. 34 percent of U.S.-born households have incomes below 250 percent of poverty. 
• Workers who speak English fluently are twice as likely to work in a high-skilled job, regardless of if they are native or foreign-born based on McHugh and Morawski, “Unlocking Skills: Successful Initiatives for Integrating Foreign-Trained Immigrant Professionals.”

Call to Action: Join the Movement

To further its mission of empowering immigrants, English For IT™ is offering a one-year grant to US colleges, universities, and ESL schools to join the English For IT™ Academy. This grant provides institutions the opportunity to offer free access to the academy’s courses, ensuring that more immigrants can upgrade their language skills and access better job opportunities.

Educational institutions which help immigrants improve their English proficiency are encouraged to take advantage of this grant, helping to equip the next generation of tech talent with the linguistic ability needed to thrive. Contact: info@english4it.online to apply.

By providing targeted English language training that meets with demands of the tech industry, Anna Gandrabura is not only helping immigrants achieve their professional goals but also contributing to a stronger, more inclusive economy. 

Published by: Holy Minoza