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Although the Learning in Style teachers don’t know much about each student’s personal story, one that their teachers do know is that their students are eager to learn. “Before they come to this country,” says Sister Agnes, “they think the streets are paved with gold and we’re all rich. Then they get here and they say ‘Oh, you have to work very hard.” And that’s exactly what they do ——in spite of all the odds stacked against them. The teachers tell of students who work two or three jobs every day to provide for their families in a way they couldn’t have in their countries of origin. Those who come to afternoon classes most likely worked all night. They always seem to have some kind of trouble or strife in their lives, and yet they overcome it all to get to English class. “They’re so focused,” computer teacher Margaret Olson says. “And they always thank you when they leave the classroom.” Teacher Judy chimes in, “One woman told me the other day that she thanks Allah every day for this school.”
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Advanced class. The topic for today: understanding popular terms. There is polite attention as Teacher Margaret Karbon finishes explaining the term “or so. ” “I’ll be there in 10 minutes or so.” But she really gets the class’s attention when she asks how many have noticed signs that say “No Public Restroom.” “It doesn’t mean there is no bathroom,” she tells them. “It just means you have to be a customer to use it.” The relief on the students’ faces is obvious. Eating in restaurants has just become a more pleasant experience for them and their families.
The Sisters keep the classes purposely small, so that the students can be given personal attention. Along with support, understanding and wisdom, the whole staff gives their students the utmost respect. As Sr. Agnes says, “We shouldn't forget, just because someone doesn’t have an education doesn’t mean they aren’t intelligent or haven’t done all kinds of outstanding things in their life. They are, and they have." |
Computer class. Four computer stations occupied; four different life stories. One woman, in her 30s, is from Togo. A teacher in her native country, she’s learning quickly. One student is an older Somali man. He was well educated in his previous life, and he speaks four languages——unfortunately, none of them is English. There’s a Latino man who speaks English very well, but he’s come to Learning In Style to learn to read and write it. At the fourth station, there’s a young African woman who has stopped in here for extra help after her regular English class. She’s absorbed in a child’s alphabet game. Teacher Margaret explains, “She’s learning her letters by listening to that song, you know, the one we learned as kids.” A- B- C-D…
All instruction at Learning In Style is offered free of charge to those in need of it. Teaching English is, of course, the main focus. But Math, Computer, and even Citizenship classes are also taught. The social worker on staff, Carol Kelley, helps students with the complexities of day-to-day living in their adopted country. She says her heart aches for the situations in which these newcomers find themselves. “They just want to do what they need to do to support their families," she says.
Social worker’s office. A young woman comes in to the office to get a form from Carol. In her best English, she tells Carol, “I’ll be in the chicken.” Carol is stumped for a moment. Then it dawns on her. “Do you mean kitchen?” she asks. “Oh, yes, chick-en…is cluck, cluck, cluck,” mimes the woman, both of them laughing now. “Right, that’s chicken, and that’s kitchen,” Carol says helpfully, pointing across the hall. “Now we’re communicating.”
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