Bridge to Self Reliance 2000 refugees San Diego CA

The  women in the refugee families usually find several barriers that impeed or prevent their improving their English skills.

 For many the greatest is that their husbands see their wives as having plenty to do at home and do not encourage their contact with the wider world. For others, especially those who have been left with a number of children to raise, after a husband dies or leaves, child care, or classes when the children are at school are hard to find. And there is a third group who are working at entry level jobs, and need better language skills in order to improve their status.  For them the constant changes employers make to shifts is a major barrier.

When I asked Jalima, "What do you like best about your English coaching with Nan?"   She replied, "She always talks to me about things I need to know.  She gets things for me to read and listen to, about stuff I'm worrying about."  Each person I asked the same question used different words, but touched on the same idea.  "I am learning what I need, so I am not wasting time."  "She listens to me, and helps me explain things."   That reminded me of a conversation I had many years earlier,with a mother who pleaded,"Please can you come down every week and let me talk to you!"

There is clearly a need for those beginning to take a serious interest in improving their comprehension and writing, to start off one on one, or at most two on one, before they can benefit from computer based practice or group learning. So many of the women have had no formal education before, so their way of learning has developed on a one on one basis. We are looking for more volunteer tutors to mentor, so the coaching can result in enthusiasm for learning, leading to a variety of ways in which to progress, including using interactive computer programs. Would you like to listen in on a session to see if you would enjoy joining us.   

We are grateful to Global Giving for having encouraged us to expand our use of client feedback to explore exactly the right way to improve our programs.  Getting the students enthused has kept them attending regularly, and has led them to introduce others who want to progress effectively.  We are also grateful for all of you who, by your donations, have made it possible to obtain materials that meet individual needs. The "Aha!" moment when a concept is understood, and the eyes light up with excitement belongs to all of you.            

Elaine