New York is launching a pilot program to provide free English language training via mobile phones to hundreds of immigrant in New York state who may lack regular access to a classroom, a computer or the Internet.

Learners will gain access to self-paced audio and text lessons through their personal cell phones. The program will initially reach farm workers in three areas: the “dairy belt” in both the Finger Lakes and North Country regions, and downstate in the Hudson Valley and New York City where immigrants face transportation challenges. This is the first state program of its kind in the country.

“Anyone that wants to learn English should have the opportunity to do so,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “By dramatically increasing the chances for people to learn and practice English, we are making it easier for them to improve their economic livelihood and build a better life. I am proud that New York is launching this first-of-its-kind program and leading the way in expanding opportunity for all people.”

The New York State Office for New Americans (ONA) has partnered with social impact venture Cell-ED to provide customized mobile English-language training. The training combines voice tutorials and messaging services that allows for two-way interactivity and instant feedback. A learner simply calls a Cell-ED number from his or her cellphone, listens to a lesson, reviews the lesson received via text and texts back responses. The learner receives additional support and moves on to the next lesson. The program is free to the learner (excluding minutes and texts billed at the rate of the users cell phone plan) and available at any time of the day.

Farmers and farm worker advocates identified English-language training as an important barrier to growth in the New York state farming community at the 2013 Yogurt Summit. That finding of need was echoed in the work of the Governor’s Council on Food Policy. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and New York State Department of Labor are working with ONA to reach farm workers with this program in the Finger Lakes and North Country regions. The State agencies are working with community partners the New York Farm Bureau, Literacy Volunteers of Wyoming County, Agri-Business Child Development, and Cornell Cooperative Extension to enroll farm workers in the program and provide follow up assistance, when necessary. The Hudson Valley and New York City program partners include the New York Immigration Coalition, the Hispanic Federation and Catholic Charities.