Good morning! Welcome! How are you? It’s so good to see you again!
These are the things I repeat over and over again the first week of English classes. I love the first week! I love seeing our returning students after the summer break. I love seeing their smiles and excitement to be back in class. I love their hugs.
The first few days are always a little bit of chaos. New students show up, some who have registered, some who haven’t. All are family members, friends, or neighbors of current students because we don’t really advertise anywhere anymore. We always have a waiting list.
Those who are new get tested by a group of volunteers. Everyone enjoys the testing because it gives us a chance to welcome new women and reassure them that this is a kind and loving environment. Yes, they have two tests to take, but the tests are so we can help them find the best place for them to flourish. We don’t let them see their “grades” because how many they got right or wrong is not a reflection of how smart they are, but of how much we will be able to help them. Level 1? Excellent! We will get to know them for so many more years as they hone their skills! Level 5? Fantastic! Our teachers will love getting them ready to go on to college or find a better job or make more friends. Sometimes, if they are between levels, we discuss together where they might feel more comfortable. A lower level that may be too easy for them but will build their confidence, or a higher level that will be challenging, but we have confidence they can do well. All dependent, of course, on how much room is left in a particular level.
And sometimes we make mistakes. Sometimes the testing environment is intimidating and someone needs moved up later, or sometimes they got help from a friend or made lucky guesses and need moved down. Life in the world of English classes is not straightforward, but we strive to make it a place where the women feel safe and loved.
Even returning students can end up with some changes. This year H was supposed to move up a level but she doesn’t feel ready. She wants to stay with her old teachers. Depending on skill level and previous scores, I may allow this. When A wanted to move up a level past where she tested last year, I gave her a placement test. This summer she really worked on learning English and she was able to test into a higher level! I enjoyed rewarding her work!
All this means that the attendance lists I gave the teachers at the beginning of class don’t accurately represent the students they have at the end of the first day of class. And it will change even more over the next couple of weeks.
Because, on the second day of class we get a whole new crop of students. Some show up who never received my 3 separate text reminders over the last few days (for various reasons like changing phone numbers or just never looking at text messages). Others seem not to believe that English class has really started until someone comes back from seeing them actually underway, like pics or it didn’t happen.
Through all of this the focus for our English classes is to be welcoming and safe. The transition to a new country and a new language is always going to feel a little unsafe at first, and it’s nearly impossible to learn if you don’t feel safe. They need to feel safe asking questions, trying out words or phrases they aren’t sure of, and communicating the things that are important for their real lives. For some the goal is a job or school, for others the goal is to be able to talk to their kids’ teachers or doctors. Others have always dreamt of knowing how to count or read. But all need a place where they are seen and known, where they can make real friends.
And this is one of my favorite things. These women do become real friends, both with each other and with the native English speakers who volunteer to be their teachers.
