Published: May 26, 2009 11:09 pm      

ESL classes open new doors

When my wife was first approached about teaching English as a Second Language through the adult education program at Ashland Community and Technical College, her response was that she was not fluent in any foreign language.

“Shouldn’t I at least be able to speak Spanish?” she asked.

“Your job would be to help them learn to speak English, not for you to learn their language,” said Joan Flanery, the director of Adult Education at ACTC.

So, my wife agreed to become an ESL instructor. It has been one of the best experiences of her life, and even I have benefited from it. Because her students have invited us to their social gatherings, the cultural experiences of both my wife and I have been greatly expanded. I have learned a great deal about the countries from which her students come, and I can now count among my friends more than a few people who don’t speak much English.

Many people think only Spanish-speaking individuals take ESL classes, but that’s certainly not true. To be sure, the majority of her students speak Spanish as their first language, and many of them were born in Mexico. But my wife also has Spanish-speaking students from Argentina, Guatemala and from Peru.

She also has students from India, Germany, Pakistan, the Sudan, Indonesia and Vietnam. A computer program called “Rosetta Stone” makes it possible to help people learn English regardless of what language they speak — provided, of course, they can read.

Since she began teaching ESL, my wife and I have attended many different Mexican “fiestas” celebrating baptisms, third birthdays (Presentation Day, which is a big deal in Mexico) and first communions.

But my favorite was the celebration of a beautiful young lady’s 15th birthday. It began at the Catholic church in Grayson, which has two Spanish-speaking priests and a Spanish Mass every Sunday. During the service, the young lady renewed her commitment to lead a life pleasing to God, and four attendants that included her brothers and cousins, promised to protect her.

What a great service! What better time to make a commitment to lead a holy life than at an age when the hormones are raging and temptations abound. I wish we had services like that in this country.

On Monday, our cultural experience again was broadened thanks to a couple from India. My wife had invited the couple to our house so they could experience the celebration of an American holiday, but when the time came, the husband called and said something had come up and they would not be able to make it. Instead, he invited us to their home. So we went.

We were set up. As soon as we arrived, Susan, the wife, began serving us dishes from India.

My previous experience with Indian food had not been particularly positive, and I was convinced I didn’t like it. I was wrong. Some Indian food I don’t like, but what I ate Monday evening, I loved.

As we ate, my wife and I noticed that the couple was not eating.

“Aren’t you going to have anything?” my wife asked.

Manny explained that in India, it is not proper for the host to eat until the guests have finished. Another lesson in foreign culture.

My wife doesn’t do anything halfway. She began teaching ESL classes on Monday afternoon at the Paramount Arts Center and on Monday and Wednesday evenings at ACTC’s Roberts Drive campus. Since January, she has also been teaching a class at Debord Terrace in Ashland on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. She also has taken a beginning Spanish class at ACTC.

The opportunity to teach ESL came out of the blue. My wife and I had never talked about reaching out to the foreign-speaking community, much less helping them learn English, study for their GEDs and work toward gaining citizenship. It just happened.

But I’m glad it did. Our lives have been enriched by the experience. I can’t wait until the next fiesta and the celebration of Indonesian Independence Day.

We never know what paths God is going to lead us down.

JOHN CANNON is can be reached at jcannon@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2649.