The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Immigrant Latine ESL Adult Learners in Philadelphia and Community Cultural Wealth

The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented worldwide phenomenon that has impacted virtually every aspect of life with certain populations experiencing the brunt more than others. Many immigrant Latine English as a second language (ESL) adult learners have had to grapple with a variety of historical and novel challenges regarding stress, health, immigration, employment, and education. This mixed-methods research study aimed to better understand the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on a group of immigrant Latine ESL adult learners in Philadelphia and the forms of capital they possess that help them obtain resources, navigate through challenging events, and mitigate damages. Thirty-six participants (18 to 50+ years; 63.89% female) participated in a survey that addressed stress level, learning of English, employment, health, and community cultural wealth. Quantitative analyses revealed that the pandemic had a negative impact on employment and the contraction of COVID-19 and that the sample possessed all forms of capital under investigation. Qualitative analyses revealed that the pandemic had a negative impact on family, finances/unemployment, health, learning of English, friends, immigration, isolation, and uncertainty about the future.