The English Speaking Center (ESC) was founded in September 1980 as an effort to respond to the needs of the surrounding community. Julia Shoemaker began classes to help people adjust to a new country, new culture and new language. Her prayer is relevant to us today: “Lord, bless those who are here today so that in both teaching and learning we may serve Thee by helping others.”
Without employing serious efforts in advertising for our program, ESC’s classrooms continue to fill up! The excellency of our English classes spread throughout the community by word of mouth. We often hear students say that our center is the best English program in El Paso. Even UTEP doctoral students who have observed and assisted our classes are amazed at the quality of teaching at ESC, the students’ commitment to learning English and the unity of our student community. Throughout the past thirty years, thousands of students have found a welcoming learning environment at St. Clement and well over a hundred volunteer teachers have made the program a success. We currently serve students from countries in Asia, Europe and Latin America.