ESL classes gave him the confidence to pursue a career in law enforcement
A language barrier and culture shock made traditional high school difficult for Abraham Acianoh.
“I was intimidated because of the language. It was a fast-paced environment,” he says. “That’s why I wasn’t a fan of high school. I didn’t want to go.”
A native of Guinea, Acianoh immigrated to the U.S. at age 17 to be with his family in Concord. His mother, who moved to the United States when Acianoh was just 3 years old, had already learned English thanks to Mt. Diablo Adult Education.
What really stood out to me is how compassionate and understanding the teachers were.
Abraham Acianoh
Former ESL student
But Acianoh needed to catch up. He started taking English as a second language (ESL) classes through a Mt. Diablo Adult Education program held at the Loma Vista Adult Center.
For a couple years, Acianoh worked on his English, taking classes at the center almost every day of the week. “Everything they had to offer, I took,” he says.
“What really stood out to me is how compassionate and understanding the teachers were,” he says. “They were willing to take the time to talk to you, to actually give you extra help.”
Because he mastered the English language in a supportive environment, Acianoh had the confidence to attend Diablo Valley College. In 2013, he earned an A.A. in political science. He went on to earn a B.A. in political science and criminal justice from San Francisco State University in 2015.
Acianoh accomplished this while working full-time at Costco in Concord. He was promoted to front-end supervisor after getting his bachelor’s degree. He still sees some of his teachers from Loma Vista shopping at the store, who are eager to learn about his progress.
The happily married father of two has an exciting future planned. He recently applied to multiple police academies throughout the Bay Area.
“Becoming a police officer is something I’m looking forward to,” Acianoh says with confidence.
Written by Elizabeth Morabito
| Regions | Classes |
|---|---|
| Bay Area California | English as a Second Language |
