HOUSTON -- For some parents, a language barrier prevents them from helping their students in school. So, a Pasadena elementary school is helping bridge the gap, KPRC Local 2, Your Education Station, reported Tuesday.

Parents are taking English as a second language course at Gardens Elementary School, 1105 East Harris Street.

When English is your second language, everything in your child's classroom can feel foreign.

"I try to push them all the time, but you have to be the example for them and that's the first step that you have to do," said Maria Lozano, a program participant.

With the help of motivated tutors, parents are taking the class.

The effort started with a single tutor and a small group of parents last year. But, after seeing the success, school leaders wanted to offer the lessons to all of the parents.

"It's actually a door that is going to open tremendously," teacher Norma Jimenez said.

Literacy Advance of Houston trained nearly 80 members of the faculty.

Principal Celia Layton said bilingual staff members have helped parents in the past, but she said teaching them English is a whole new world.

"This is different because everybody is in the game. In fact, our theme this year is 'In the Game for Kids,' so everyone gets to participate at a higher level," Layton said.

More than just the parents are benefiting. Educational experts said a child's literacy is directly linked to their parents.

"By helping the parents of our schools, we're also impacting the children, and that's what we really want to do is help everyone," said Jen Walters with Literacy Advance.

That could eventually lead to better test scores because parents can stay on top of their children's studies.

The impact is even being felt outside of the school. Jimenez said she is teaching English to her 60-year-old mother using some of the skills she learned from Literacy Advance.

"My Mom writes poetry and to actually see it in English would be something wonderful," Jimenez said.

"If you want to be a part of society, you have to get involved in everything in many ways and English is the first tool," Lozano said.

Gardens Elementary will offer classes to parents at various times and days of the week to reach as many parents as possible. They expect the program to be fully functional in late fall.

Literacy Advance hopes Gardens Elementary will be an inspiration to other Houston-area schools.