Somali class in St. Cloud inspires connections with immigrants

This class is teaching Somali language to English speaking students, a good way for both groups to learn more about the others. DP

By Mackenzie Ryan, st. cloud times

sctimes.com: In a sparsely filled room at the American Red Cross, Abdirahman Muhumed looks at a lesson plan he wrote on the back of a sheet of paper.

There are no books in this class. No prepared worksheets. As far as Muhumed can tell, the Somali language has only been translated in textbooks one way — from Somali to English.

So to teach his English-speaking students Somali takes some improvising.

Muhumed started the class in January because language, he said, is key to communication, understanding and trust.

He hopes the class, which has about 15 students, will help bring together the Somali community and area residents.

And he hopes it will grow.

"America is our community now," Muhumed said. "We want to be able to understand each other."

Some estimates put the number of Somali immigrants in the region at about 6,000.

Somali children also make up the largest minority population in the 9,300-student St. Cloud school district. The district had 484 Somali-speaking students in 2006-07.

Many Somali immigrants are taking English as a Second Language courses. But learning English is especially hard for some, including Somali elders or those without an education.

In a way, the Somali language class is a chance to meet Somali residents half-way.
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