Cuesta College’s North County Campus is gearing up to host more than a dozen English as a Second Language (ESL) students as they participate in Poetry in Translation, a night of bilingual poetry readings. Last held in 2014, this year’s event will take place on Wednesday, April 27, 2016, from 7:45 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. in Dallons Hall, room N3102.

The participating students will be presenting poetry in English and in their native language in front of a live audience made up of fellow Cuesta College ESL students, faculty, staff, administrators, and the students’ friends and family members.  This year approximately five different languages will be spoken.

“The purpose of the event is to celebrate the language of poetry and the diversity within our ESL Program,” said Lucia Herrera, Cuesta College ESL Outreach and Retention Specialist. “The students will be reading poems that either they themselves wrote, or those written by a poet from their native country or of the same language background. Those who participate experience such a sense of pride and accomplishment that comes from speaking both their native language and English in front of a live audience.”

The event is open to the community and Cuesta College students, faculty and staff.  Refreshments will be provided beginning at 7:30 p.m.  It is not recommended for children under the age of six.  Poetry in Translation is being sponsored by the Cultural Diversity and Student Equity Committee and Associated Students of Cuesta College.