ESL reading program aims at embracing culture

Swahili, French, Portuguese, Spanish. These are just some of the languages heard when entering the ESL reading room. This program is designated to help strengthen the language skills of both students with English as a first language and those students with English as a second.

These students are on all levels of the English language spectrum.

“This is a collaboration between me and Mr. Buchanan,” HC English teacher Nell Whitman said.

Whitman has been involved with international student exchange for most of her life. It was a dream of hers to start this program.

“I grew up with university students from all over the world living in my home,” Whitman said. “Then I studied abroad in the Dominican Republic.”

Given her experiences with international study, she saw this program as a way of bringing together two of her passions- English and working with those who speak different first languages.

“We have so much in common,” Whitman said. “I want American students to understand that we can have a lot of fun together.”

In this program, ESL students are paired with other students to read books that are high interest yet not overwhelming in terms of language.

“We take turns reading and we also converse,” Whitman said. “We have fun together.”

This fun includes playing soccer, listening to music, and singing songs–  anything that encourages the students to form relationships.

The teams were made up of the ESL students and the other of volunteers. One student participating in the soccer game was Raj Bhattarai.

“We won [the ESL team],” Bhattarai said. “It was like two-to-one, very close.”

The win is only part of it. The other part is the welcoming atmosphere.

“I think it’s important to send a message to our recent arrivals, that we value them, that were glad they’re here, and that we want them to be a part of our community,” Whitman added.