Photo: Jesse Gardner
Teaching English abroad is important. But teaching English at home may be just as crucial.
Maryam Razai walks 30 minutes to and from school each day. Her cheeks droop, and the excess skin appears smooth like silk. As a child, I used to touch my Nana’s face, tracing the lines of her 70 some odd years. In exchange, she always offered up a story: how she met my Papa, or the flames that once consumed their attic.
As I take visual snapshots of Maryam—an elderly Afghani refugee living in Utica, New York—we struggle to make conversation. She doesn’t tell me about her war-torn country or the family she has lost or left behind. I don’t ask about the scars on the hand of the woman sitting beside her, or the traditional sari she is wearing.
Instead, I help her fill out a work sheet with phrases like, “The vase is on the table” or “The bottle is on the floor.” Just as I am beginning to feel helpless, she raises her pencil from the page, looks at me, and smiles–a gesture that fills me with hope and optimism.
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The Office of Immigration Statistics Annual Flow Report notes that in 2008, 60,108 refugees were admitted to the United States. Despite the U.S. Resettlement Program’s reputation as a lengthy and challenging process, this represents a 25% increase from the 2007 admission statistic. Whether or not we recognize it, the U.S. is growing as a major haven for refugees.
“Just as I am beginning to feel helpless, she raises her pencil from the page, looks at me, and smiles–a gesture that fills me with hope and optimism.”
The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants explains that, “Refugees flee their homes, business[es], farms and communities in order to escape war and persecution.” These men and women enter the U.S.—or any country where they seek asylum—not knowing what to expect. Though many find and connect with others from their native country, life is not easy.
Photo: The Advocacy Project
The Resettlement Program provides minimal financial aid and some psychological support, but for those who have experienced intense loss and suffering, it’s likely not enough. For example, refugees receive about $400 per month from the government, and unemployment rates are still slightly higher among refugees than among Americans.
Many English speakers—from activists to explorers to teachers—have seized the opportunity to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) abroad. This is a beneficial and worthy endeavor, but there are 2.6 million refugees in the U.S., many of whom are unable to move forward with their lives until they learn a new language—perhaps the most intimidating barrier to getting by in the States.
If you’re putting down roots, but still want to make a difference, you may consider teaching or volunteering with refugees in your own country.
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I met Maryam while volunteering at the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees in Utica. There, surrounded by migrants from Afghanistan, Burma, Bosnia, Somalia, Iraq, and Ecuador, I realized that teaching English to refugees is about much more than how to spell “refrigerator.”
Language as Psychotherapy
At Mohawk Valley, the classrooms are not dull and dreary places where students lament their losses. Instead, students channel culture shock into concrete motivation to learn. One teacher introduces me to the “bottle-plate” dance, in which refugees clap, stomp, and sing about everyday objects. At some points, the classroom looks as though it will burst into a full on party, complete with break dancing and a turntable.
“At some points, the classroom looks as though it will burst into a full on party, complete with break dancing and a turntable.”
The language exercises also stray from asking questions about the past, an issue brought to my attention by the center’s director. Rather than inquiring about a refugee’s native country or family, students are asked about their life in the here and now: “Who do you live with?”; “Do you work?”; “How many days per week do you attend school?”.
Photo: polandeze
Learning English becomes a therapeutic practice for the individuals at the center. With every new word or phrase, students find a new form of self-expression, and in doing so, find themselves. Language also provides an important outlet for individuals if they desire connection–allowing them to share their stories and narratives in English with new friends, teachers, judges, and caseworkers.
In this sense, learning English becomes more than a task or lesson; English becomes a language of refuge.
A Bridge to Self-reflection and Personal Fulfillment
Teaching your native language to refugees is a personally rewarding experience. I met people from countries that used to exist to me only as ink blots on a map. I was introduced to Esar My, a Burmese refugee with exceptional conversation skills. Later, I met Esar’s daughter, a 20-something girl much like me, yet already married. This work fulfilled my desire to travel by engaging me in what I love most about the journey abroad: meeting new people and learning from them.
What was happening in these classrooms was also real and important. Without English skills, these men and women would be forced to subsist on very little. Language is a necessary component of physically starting over: finding a new home, new job, and fresh start.
Likewise, language can be a significant step to psychological reconciliation and repair, inviting individuals to let loose through classroom exercises, connect with their peers, and process and share their histories.
Get Involved
The Office of Refugee Resettlement has compiled a list of “Mutual Assistance Associations” for refugees. Check out the list to find a center near you. If you’re already trained in ESL, mention this when you call; the center may need full or part time teachers. If you’re not trained in ESL, you may also be able to help out as a tutor, interpreter, office assistant, or general volunteer.
Community Connection:
If you’re interested in learning a language yourself, be sure to check out our Language Learning Focus Page.
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29 Comments... join the discussion!
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It’s definitely a window into another (or more) culture if you’re unable to leave the country for a while. Good article.
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Thanks, Turner. Glad you see it that way, too!
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Love the way you bring heart and life to a subject that we know we should care about but is often presented in a sterile way that never captures the ‘people.’
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Great piece, Alyssa! You’re an inspirational character.
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haha, thanks Candice! Inspirational character made me laugh….but much appreciated
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Great article! I live 2 blocks away from a program similar to this, and have always wondered if they would hire volunteers or if you needed a degree in teaching. I think I might stop by there this week and find out.
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You just made my day, Corbin! So glad you’re going to stop by – you won’t regret it. I hope they have some openings for volunteers, and if not, will down the road! Let me know how it turns out.
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great article, great idea! i hope others are as inspired as i am to get out there and volunteer and to realize the impact we can have in our own backyards!
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Thank you Allison! So true about our own backyards…
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Thank you, Michelle
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Great article, Alyssa
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Thanks, Reeti!
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absolutely inspiring….I loved my time teaching in SEA but I had never thought that there were people in Seattle that might need some English TLC and I certainly hadn’t thought of the US as a refugee haven…
great piece, thanks for you caring resolve Alyssa!
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Aw, thanks Josh! It means a lot to hear that I made a difference here in sparking a potential new teaching venture!
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I loved this article. I looked up the list for my area and will be calling nearby places to see where I can volunteer and get some ESL teaching experience. Thanks, Alyssa!
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Thank YOU, Lauren. It means so much to hear that you will be trying out volunteering
Keep me posted how it goes.
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Alyssa, I love the personal element you bring into this article. It’s creative and informative. I look forward to reading more of your work!
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Eeeep! Thanks, Kanitha! glad to see you over here and it means so much to me that you read/enjoyed this – hope all is well on the other side…
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Ah, how cool! I’ve helped Mexican immigrants with English and ESL here in San Antonio and it’s such an experience…to see old ladies brave multiple buses and bad weather to learn basic terminology. But then when I learned how intimidating life in the US was for them early on because of the language barrier, I was moved even more. Fantastic that you’ve put out coverage on this!
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Thanks, Cathey! Glad you’ve experienced this, too. The thought of Maryam walking in the snow was so sad to me – Utica is not a warm place! But that’s how vital the language skills were to her, so I totally agree.
Thanks for the nice and thoughtful comment!
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Great article, Alyssa! I really enjoyed the personal experiences you’ve weaved into the article. Makes the piece so much more than just information. You’re doing a fantastic job.
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Thanks Neha
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Great article — You make some good points. You’re inspiring me to get involved!
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Awesome! Thanks for reading
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Awesome article. I’ve taught ESL both in the US and abroad. It’s such a great way to get involved in the local immigrant community. Even if you aren’t teaching refugees, your students will most often be so appreciative of the chance to improve English and learn more about their new host culture. For women in particular, ESL classes can be a great way to make friends with other newly arrived immigrants and feel more comfortable with the local social scene.
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Heather – good to hear this is something you’ve been involved with! I agree about the women issue. I connected so much with the women I met in the center and felt a special empathy for their situation and commitment to helping them adjust!
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