It is so rewarding to watch our English language learners progress in ESL class. I can see them participating more and successfully completing coursework. I can hear them using recently studied vocabulary and grammar to have conversations and communicate. I notice friendships forming between students who speak different home languages. I especially like being included in group texts where students send each other holiday greetings or send well wishes when classmates are sick and can’t attend class. I can tell that they are now using their skills to write, instead of simply using Google translate.
In a recent class I asked students to reflect on their progress. I like doing this to gather feedback to shape instruction, and more importantly I want students to notice how much they are learning. It is common for students to focus on continued deficits instead of noticing gains, so I asked them to think about things they are able to do now, or do more easily since studying English. Many students told stories about their work improving, since they can better communicate with supervisors and coworkers.
One student wrote, “At work, sometimes I still don’t understand, but I can speak more English now. I am happy that people understand me and I can understand more too.”
Students also mentioned feeling more confident about taking care of their families. One student proudly explained that she can now go shopping alone at the supermarket. In class she often talks about the recipes she is cooking and says that her goal is to one day, run a restaurant. The students mentioned things that have helped them gain English skills like listening to music, watching TV in English and practicing with family and friends. However, they all said that the thing that helped them the most, was enrolling in an ESL class.
If you know someone who wants to improve their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in English, why not help them spring forward into class? YWCA provides free classes for beginning though intermediate level adult ESL students. On March 11th registration for interested learners who want to take an ESL class will open. For more information use this link to register and be placed on the waiting list.
– Elizabeth Johnston, YWCA Northwestern Illinois ICCB Supervisor
