Students from West Hartford’s ESL program recently visited the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford

By Caren Dickman

While visiting the state Capitol on Wednesday morning, March 11, 2026, one student in the West Hartford Advanced English as a Second Language (ESL) class was surprised to learn that the Capitol is often open to the general public.

The students were greeted by demonstrators outside holding a huge sign reading “Join the Democratic Nationalist Party.” They didn’t understand why until Joe Viola, their teacher, explained that our government is founded on Freedom of Speech.

In the lobby they observed hundreds of other people lobbying against homeschooling. From there they moved on to attend a hearing on new health care legislation. Lastly, they had a tour of the Capitol including where the state Senate and House conducts its business and learned how the U.S. differs from a parliamentary system.

Students in the town’s Adult ESL Program come from countries all over the world, live in West Hartford and attend classes in the program to learn English. Students in this class are from China, Mexico, Peru, Turkey and Yugoslavia.

Students from West Hartford’s Advanced ESL class visit the Connecticut Capitol building. Courtesy photo

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