Determined to Learn English
Martina Munoz came to America from Mexico looking for an opportunity to support her growing family. With hard work and determination, Martina has found success while working in Prosser, Washington at the headquarters and manufacturing center of Chukar Cherry Company.
Starting in the Gift Department, Martina constructed detailed gourmet gift baskets and quickly proved she was capable of consistent quality and leadership. Kathleen Young, Chukar’s Production Manager, promoted Martina to Chocolate Room Supervisor to oversee the creation of Chukar’s deliciously famous chocolate-covered cherries, berries and nuts. When Martina took the leadership role, her English language skills were basic. As she struggled to communicate professionally in her new position, a resolve emerged to improve her English skills. With help from her daughter in elementary school, Munoz began to learn and practice English at home and at work. Learning English as a second language has been one of Martina’s most prized accomplishments. “It makes me a better person.” said Martina.
During work break conversations around the lunch table, Martina found that her co-workers had a similar desire and they began to utilize their daily work breaks to study English together. Each day Martina and her co-workers became more confident in speaking English. Martina and the Chocolate Team decided to take their breaks earlier than the rest of the Chukar Crew in order to have focused time to learn English. “We tried to do our lessons at the same time everyone else took break, but we kept getting distracted by outside conversations and couldn’t focus,” said Martina. During these “language breaks” Martina teaches the alphabet, key English phrases, and eventually will move into a larger vocabulary of words. “My team gets so excited each week when they can understand Kathleen* a little better – it’s less frustrating and builds confidence,” said Martina. *Kathleen is Chukar’s Production Manager, Kathleen Young.
“It is incredibly satisfying to work with people we highly respect and to be a part of their efforts to utilize English to communicate with family, co-workers and management,” said JT and Pamela Montgomery, owners of Chukar Cherry Company.
