By: Lindy Obach, EL Teacher
After a summer off, the English Language Learners at the Adult Learning Center are back in the classroom and ready to learn!
We’ve got a robust and diverse group of students this year, with learners from countries like Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, Guatemala, Ukraine, Afghanistan, South Korea, Vietnam, Togo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sudan, and Chad, just to name a few! Most students say they “speak only a little English” but they have much more English than they think. Our students are great-grandmothers, mechanical engineers, restaurant owners, soccer players, Sam’s Club enthusiasts, soon-to-be mothers, homemakers, cashiers, cooks, and truck drivers.
Our students vary in English proficiency levels, so while the beginners are working on the alphabet, numbers, pronunciation, and simple vocabulary, the more advanced students are reading and writing about topics such as the environment while learning complex grammar and academic vocabulary. Over the noon hour, we have a conversation group with all levels of learners talking and laughing together.
We asked our students how their first few months of school have been, and here are some of their answers:
“I like my classes so much because my teachers are very kind. And my classmates are good, too.”
“The first time I came to class, I am so happy to see my teacher. I’m very happy when I’m in class. I make new friends in the school and every day I learn new words. My English is better than last year.”
“I like my classes at the ALC, practicing conversation and reading and writing.”
“I like to come to the ALC because I’m improving my English. That’s really important to me. I need to know how to interact more properly with English speakers because it’s pretty necessary.”
We also take our education outside of the classroom and went on three field trips in October. We walked over to the public library to get a tour and obtain library cards, where students felt empowered to get their own cards; we went to Manufacturing Day at the BAC, where students learned more about area industries and connected with local employers; and we walked over to the Professional Learning Lab for Project Connect where students learned more about social services and resources.
We always have space for more learners! If you or someone you know could benefit from English, GED, or computer skills classes, call the Dickinson Adult Learning Center today at 701-456-0008 or visit our website at: www.dickinsonalc.com/. We are here to help!