This ESL teacher proves that immigrants DO want to learn English, even though it is difficult and they hardly have any time to go to classes. DP
By ELSJE M. SMIT, Special to The Star
I was pleased to read that free English as a Second Language classes will be offered by the Kansas City Kansas Community College. As an ESL teacher, I know the need is great.
My pleasure faded, however, when I read the back page of the same Sunday Local section. There a letter-writer was “appalled” by the fact that Hilda Solis, when she thanked President-elect Barack Obama for nominating her to the post of labor secretary, delivered part of her speech in Spanish.
The writer complained about “those who live here (and) choose not to want to speak English.”
The assumption is that if people don’t speak English, it is because they don’t want to. I’ve heard that expressed many times, especially when I introduce myself as an ESL instructor.
The comments I get are usually something like “Good luck! These immigrants simply refuse to learn English!”
In all of my 29 years of teaching, I’ve encountered very few non-native speakers who fit that stereotype.
My students — especially the older ones — have struggled mightily to master a language that is very complicated. Often their task is more difficult because they have little or no formal education; some can barely read or write.
And while taking several hours of classes a week — not enough for them to become fluent quickly — they are usually holding down at least one job, taking care of children or parents or both, and trying to understand and adapt to a new culture and way of life.
Yet most come to class with a hunger to learn that would make many parents of high-school students jealous.
Be sure to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
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