Orlando Ayala’s journey has been marked by resilience and unyielding determination. From the very beginning of his life, he lost his parents, and survival meant working odd jobs as an adolescent for food and shelter.
In 1998, Ayala made the decision to travel to the United States, seeking not just a fresh start but the opportunity to build a future for himself. Settling in Los Angeles, he found work in the landscaping and construction fields until he secured a job as a truck driver. While driving behind the wheel of his rig, Ayala noticed a billboard for Torrance Adult School. The following day, Ayala visited the school and was welcomed and provided information about various Torrance Adult School programs. After discussing the course offerings, Ayala found himself drawn to a program that promised to be the cornerstone of his future endeavors – the citizenship program.
“Learning English will be key to starting my own trucking business,” says Ayala. “I will work for myself and provide a good living for my family.”
Orlando Ayala, TAS student
Determined to remain in his newfound home of Los Angeles and continue his journey of growth, Ayala worked to attain U.S. citizenship, which was central to reaching his entrepreneurial goal of owning his own company. As a result, Ayala enrolled in the English as a Second Language (ESL) Citizenship program, setting his sights on a better tomorrow. Guided by the encouragement of Lucy Vargas, a Torrance Adult School ESL instructor, Ayala began his journey of learning.
Ayala says, “Ms. Lucy was kind and patient and encouraged me to get my citizenship certificate.”
Ayala studied diligently and earned his citizenship certificate. Now, he wants to improve his English skills. His children, who are fluent in English and Spanish, encouraged Ayala to attend ESL classes at Torrance Adult School. With Lucy Vargas’s help, Ayala enrolled in Torrance’s ESL Program.
“I enrolled in ESL classes because I know that knowing English can bring many opportunities to my family and me,” Ayala explains with determination.
Ayala has been working closely with Lucy Vargas. She is a bilingual teacher who teaches students English grammar, basic vocabulary, and conversational English skills. Ayala plans to complete the ESL Program this year, hoping it will help him reach his career goal of starting a small business.
“Learning English will be key to starting my own trucking business,” says Ayala. “I will work for myself and provide a good living for my family.”
For more information, visit Torrance Adult School at https://www.tusd.org/tas/index.
Written by Nicole Carr
| Regions | Classes |
|---|---|
| South Coast California | English as a Second Language |
