English as a Gateway is a national model and strategy to expand English language acquisition in the United States with NPNA members who are leading immigrant rights coalitions across the country through policy and programmatic efforts. 

Programs Component

After a successful pilot of English Innovations in 2011-2013 led by OneAmerica, this close partnership with NPNA has allowed for the expansion of the English language acquisition program nationwide. The English as a Gateway Initiative aims to build English infrastructure through policy and resource development; a tested and scalable English language instruction component – “English Innovations”; and, creative integration of digital and technology-based learning through Community Navigators.

• 1800+

  students assisted through direct english language instruction since March 2020

• 150

  students plugged into community engagement, all through a remote learning environment

• 23

  NPNA members engaged in English as a Gateway through English Instruction,Community Navigators, or advocacy efforts

Policy Component 

Alongside the programmatic arm, NPNA prioritizes the language justice advocacy taking place at the local, state, and federal levels. The NPNA Language Access Working Group was launched in Spring 2022, bringing together language access advocates within organizations, municipalities, and agencies to strategize current and anticipated language access campaigns and advocacy and build community and relationships across partners to support and win local, state and national efforts around language access. Over 120 advocates have participated in the quarterly meetings, including the culminating National Language Access Convening, which took place at the NPNA’s National Immigrant Inclusion Conference. For more information on how to join the Language Access Working Group, please fill out the interest form https://bit.ly/NPNALAWG.

For more information contact Melissa Holguin Pineda at melissa@partnershipfornewamericans.org