Milpitas Adult Education’s Liji Zeng earns CalWORKS Achievement Award

Motivated by her need to support two school-aged children and better herself in the process, Chinese immigrant Liji Zeng has persevered through family tragedy to remain a student within the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program at Milpitas Adult Education (MAE).

“My goal is to learn English,” said Liji, whose husband passed away from cancer in 2022. “I need to take care of my family and I need to get a better job. If I don’t understand English, then I can’t do those things.”

Each weekday, Liji drops her youngest daughter at Marshall Pomeroy Elementary School and the older sibling at Thomas Russell Middle School en route to the MUSD Innovation Campus where she is currently in Vini Jain’s ESL level 4 class.

“Her journey is a testament to her hard work, dedication and unwavering perseverance in the face of numerous challenges,” said Jain, who first taught Liji in her ESL level 2 class. “Alongside her academic achievements, she is a devoted mother to her two daughters aged 14 and 8, whom she has inspired with her determination and commitment to creating a better future for their family.”

Liji’s amazing educational journey recently garnered recognition as a recipient of a CalWORKS Achievement Award, which honors those who have used CalWORKS services to improve their lives and contribute to their community.

“Liji is a hard working young lady, an industrious student, and a loving and dedicated mother to her two children,” said CalWORKS Site Rep Minh Nguyen, who started working with Liji in February 2023. “She often has perfect attendance in her ESL classes, follows through with her plans and stays focused on her personal and family goals. She has improved her English competency skills and has become more and more confident in handling her daily life as a woman and as a mother.”

Liji immigrated from China to the United States in 2013. She began ESL level 1 and 2 courses in 2016, but stopped after having a baby. Liji returned to ESL class in 2021 at MAE, and has worked her way up to ESL level 4 with one more level remaining. During this time, she took care of her ailing parents-in-law and husband before his passing. In need of assistance, Liji registered for aid with the CalWORKS program.

“Liji is a very dedicated student who comes to class everyday and works hard to improve herself, her skills, and her life,” Jain shared. “As her teacher, I see that she is doing her very best to make the most of every day for herself and her daughters.”

While she runs a small clothing business, Liji is keeping her options open to different career pathways that will allow her to provide for her family. “I am so appreciative of Milpitas Adult Education. They have given me so much information, like the job fair and different colleges. I’ve gotten a lot of information that’s good for me,” Liji shared.

MAE Principal Giuliana Brahim is proud to have Liji as a student in the MAE ESL program as she is an inspiration for all adult learners and second language learners in Milpitas. Brahim recalled a recent school-wide presentation where Liji addressed the community advocate and posed clear questions about issues affecting our schools and children.

“Immigrant integration thrives when individuals embrace their circumstances and actively engage in civic life,” Principal Brahim said. “Her curiosity and focus were evident, and I am confident that Liji will dedicate herself to building a sustainable future for herself and her loved ones.”