Kindness Begins With Me

Hardly a day goes by when I don't read or hear a rude comment about people in this country needing to learn English.

I teach English as a second language at my church. I donate my time and most of the materials, and the class is offered free to anyone, regardless of religion. My students work very hard to learn English.

I am trying to learn to speak Brazilian Portuguese and this has given me great respect for my students. Languages don't come easily to me. They never did, and at almost fifty, I'm past the prime learning stage. I found a few places that offer free courses online because I don't have the time or money to take a class. I have friends from Brazil and most of my students are Brazilians, so I have someplace to go when I have questions. But it's hard. I've been studying faithfully for a long time, and I can't hold a conversation. Since I haven't learned any food words but candy, if I moved to Brazil, and had to ask for my food, I would starve. I can, however, tell you there is a man on the table or that there is a boy in the box. I can tell you what time it is and what clothing I'm wearing. But I can't survive in Brazil, should I move there.

The average three-year-old in a professional family has a 1000 word vocabulary, all based on the words he or she needs to function in everyday life. Do you know how long it takes to learn 1000 words, and even then, the words you learn in a formal class may not be the ones you really need. And then, of course, there is the grammar. The class I'm taking online does not offer grammar. You're supposed to learn it as children do, from the context, which is thoroughly confusing me.

Remember when you took high school Spanish? After two years, you encountered a native speaker and discovered, to your dismay, you didn't have the words to communicate, and they didn't understand your accent anyway.

Keep all this in mind when you are unhappy that someone doesn't speak English, or speak it to your satisfaction. They may well be in the process, but not yet comfortable trying to speak it, just as I am reluctant to speak Portuguese to my friends, knowing my accent and grammar are poor, and I won't know most of the words I need. They may be older or just not skilled at learning a language. It's harder than you think it is going to be when you're just starting out.

My students are learning English far faster than I am learning Portuguese. It was scary for them to start taking this class, but once started, they've put their hearts into it.

Another issue to keep in mind is that not everyone can learn online or alone. Throughout the country, there are shortages of ESL programs, and volunteers, and many who are here are unable to take the classes that are available.

If you're an immigrant and don't speak English, you don't have many jobs to choose from and can be easily exploited because you don't know employment law. They can't tell their bosses they can't work on Wednesdays because they have English class. If they learn English, their boss might not be able to continue exploiting them or they can get a better job. Therefore,their bosses are not motivated to let them have the time off. I've had students who were consistently made to work late on class night, or whose bosses called them on their cell phones repeatedly during classes.

This is one reason small, personalized, and free classes like mine are so critical. My students come when they can. The class isn't intimidating, because there are no grades or tests. We review often and catch up those who miss class.

So, instead of complaining, why not go out and offer to teach a small, personal class at a community center or church? Why not volunteer with an organization that provides ESL classes? Do something, rather than just complaining.