The recent partnership between Heritage Building Maintenance and Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) created an opportunity for Heritage employees seeking to enhance their English and Spanish language skills and build valuable workplace competencies.
This 10-week program, supported by a language learners grant, offered beginner-to-intermediate level training in English and Spanish. With flexible sessions designed around participants’ schedules, the program empowered individuals to engage more fully with their roles and connect meaningfully with colleagues across language barriers.
A Practical Approach to Language Learning
The program primarily focused on speaking and listening skills, with minimal emphasis on reading and writing. Beyond language basics, the curriculum integrated essential industry-specific topics such as conducting performance reviews, safety procedures, and email communication, preparing participants to navigate real-world professional interactions confidently.
Heritage’s dedication to practical, workplace-relevant skills was evident through the incorporation of exercises like role-playing and vocabulary games, which allowed participants to engage with each other in a supportive and dynamic setting.
Success Stories from Participants
Graduates of the program shared how it impacted their personal and professional lives.
“This class set new goals for me, not just in language skills but in understanding industry interactions. Now, I feel more confident in my communication, especially in emails,” said Esmeralda Garcia, a receptionist at Heritage. She added that the experience showed her how everyone’s role fits together, comparing it to “finishing the puzzle we’re all part of in the business.”
Donald Wilkerson from Customer Care at Heritage shared that the hands-on approach of the program was instrumental in his learning.
“The teacher was very engaging, and the games made it interesting and relevant to what we do in our industry. I feel like I learned a lot,” he commented.
Building supervisor Amilcar Zabaleta expressed gratitude for the opportunity, emphasizing the program’s role in expanding his worldview and fostering empathy among colleagues.
“You learn that we are not all the same and that we do not all think the same. Each person has different qualities, and each of us learns from others. It teaches you to be better every day,” he shared.
Blanca Aguiniga Berber, a Day Area Manager for Heritage, said the classes helped her understand the leadership aspects of her role and how to communicate those responsibilities.
“If in the future I have the opportunity to take more classes, I would like to take them,” Blanca added.
Looking Forward
Plans are already underway to offer the English Language program again in both the spring and fall, with a potential Spanish course in the summer.
Payroll specialist Stephanie Murphy joined the Command Spanish language class through the language learners’ program at DMCC. Enrolling in the class with only a few Spanish basics in her vocabulary, Stephanie now feels more equipped to tackle daily tasks at Heritage where Spanish writing comes across her desk.
“Our instructor made the learning fun with a variety of methods, from role-playing to flashcards. My goal was to understand forms without constantly needing a translator, and I can do that better now,” Stephanie shared.
To sum up, Heritage’s Language Learners program speaks to our company’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, growth-oriented workplace where every employee has the chance to enhance their skills and contribute to the community with confidence. Interested employees can apply through the Heritage office as future sessions approach.
