Every town needs many people like this woman. Too bad there are so few. DP
By Mary Huebner
greenbaypressgazette.com: ASHWAUBENON — Twenty-five years ago, I read an editorial in People's Forum. The Hmong were coming to the United States and needed to learn English. The Literacy Council of Brown County sought volunteers to tutor non-English-speaking people and offered training workshops. It sounded interesting and I was soon teaching my first student.
Here I am, 25 years later, still teaching English. It's been the most rewarding volunteer work I've ever done. It changed my perceptions of immigrants —the difficulty with communication, the prejudice and the hard work it takes to make a life in a new country. I've learned people the world over are the same – they love their children and families, want a good life for them and are willing to make sacrifices to accomplish their goals. They want to learn English. However, there are not enough classes or teachers to help them.
I find one-on-one tutoring rewarding. I can only help one or two students at a time but they learn quickly and are so grateful. How rewarding to hear a student say, "Teacher, yesterday, I was shopping and I ask for bathroom for my little girl. Before, I don't know how to ask, she has to wet her pants. Thank you for helping me."
I've made many new friends and have had unique experiences with my students. I've taught students of all ages, all abilities and many nationalities. Using skills learned in the literacy workshop, I can teach English to anyone without knowing a single word of their language.
If you have ever asked, "Why don't they learn English?" call the Brown County Literacy Council for information on workshops. Every tutor makes someone's life better and gains much in return.
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