Some Thoughts and Considerations about ESL

Some Thoughts and Considerations about ESL

by Kevin Crittenden  30May13

Soon after my retirement from the aerospace industry, I became a community volunteer and began to work with ESL students through the DeAnza College Cross Cultural Program in the fall of 2006.  In this program, I was teamed up with a single ESL partner for the purpose of English conversation practice once a week.   More recently, I am volunteering with an ESL Conversation Club offered by the City of Cupertino Library. In this program, I have the opportunity to work simultaneously on a weekly basis with a group of 8-10 students, all of whom are at the Advanced Level. 

From my perspective, programs such as these provide a wonderful framework for ESL students to gain self-confidence and experience conversing in English in a personal setting.   Students who may be quite shy within a classroom setting can positively bloom when sharing about their culture in a smaller, more intimate group.  All of my students have been eager to share what life is like in their native countries and, like sponges, are equally eager to soak up what they can about the American experience.   Our conversations  function not just as “English practice opportunities”, but as bridges to span the gulf between cultures.  Sometimes that gulf seems impossibly wide to someone new to this country.  

I see many benefits stemming from ESL education, both for the newcomer to our shores and also for those who were born in this country.  Gaining a solid grasp of the English language allows ESL students full integration into our culture, able to partake of much that our society has to offer.  And not only partake of our culture but, in time, contribute to it as well.  We have always been a melting pot – our ancestors came from diverse countries and cultures, each one forging another piece of the whole that now comprises America.  Even now, America is not a static concept but continues to be a living, dynamic entity, shaped by those who call her their home. 

Following in the footsteps of our forefathers, our ESL students, again from many different cultures, bring their own experiences and skillsets with them.  They are able to look with different perspectives at the problems this society faces, bringing new ideas and philosophies to bear upon their solution.  Certainly there is an infusion of fresh energy, a sorely needed boost to the jaded among us who have reached an impasse in our search for solutions to ongoing societal woes.

Not to be discounted is how readily compassion towards others is fostered in a multi-cultural community – how our diversity brings home the solid fact that we live in a global community where peoples of all nations share in the joys and sorrows of human existence.

Naturally, there are difficulties – roadblocks if you will -  along the path leading to a mastery of English.  In my work with ESL students, several issues have manifested themselves.   Though many of these roadblocks pertain to a majority of students, I feel that the optimum way of working through these difficulties is to recognize each student’s uniqueness.  For instance, if I have a fear of heights, I can be told that many people suffer this same fear.  Fine.  I’ll probably still avoid ladders.  But if I am told by someone with whom I have developed a trusted relationship, that they will be with me as I face my fear, I will be encouraged to try. 

 Some of the roadblocks I have seen are as follows.  First, the feeling of isolation in relocating to a new country where the culture, peoples and language are all quite foreign must be horrendous.  It is natural under these circumstances to want to stay as much as possible within the comfort of one’s native culture, even to the point of re-creating that culture so far as is possible within the new environment.  Thus the prevalence of Korean sectors, Japan towns, Chinatowns and the like.  People of like ethnicities will tend to congregate together because such people have a common culture within which the world makes sense and is comforting.  A person living in such an enclave who wishes to branch out will probably meet resistance.  Why? Because it puts a certain amount of pressure on his or her friends and relatives to do likewise.  In any stable configuration of relationships, if any member changes, all are affected and must change.

One common complaint that I hear is that is so difficult to meet native English speakers.   Where are they?  Well, one part of the answer is that in today’s overworked society, people are in the office most of the day and exhausted during their time off.  There is little energy or desire for socialization.  The mantra of our corporate age has become Commute, Work, Commute, Dinner, TV, Bed.  Repeat until retirement.  Native English speakers are also prone to the same societal forces as previously mentioned, causing them to prefer the comfort of socializing with others of their ilk.

 Another frustration for the ESL student is the inevitable encounter with impatient or rude native English speakers, be it the clerk working the lengthy checkout line at the grocery store or the harried receptionist at the busy doctor’s office.  Not only is it a frustration but it can be a humiliating experience as well, leading to self-doubt, depression and a desire to forever avoid those rude native English speakers.  Of course it is best if such students have the opportunity to meet more gracious native English speakers in a relaxed environment and realize that most of us are supportive of their efforts to learn our language and culture.

Lack of support from friends and family is another huge deterrent to learning English.  A wife may wish to practice English at home but her husband, perhaps an engineer struggling with  technical English in the work environment, wants to relax in his own home after a busy day so only wants his native language spoken.   Related to this is the natural desire to ensure that any children this couple may have become familiar with the parent’s native language.  Parents must be conversant with their children and this is easier done in the parent’s native language.  There is also the good possibility that the family may return to their country of origin, so the children must be able to function in that society as well.  Speaking of children, it has been noted that sometimes children will make fun of their parent’s English, which may be construed as an erosion of authority.

As far as friends go, it is only natural that a group of friends, united by a similar culture, will speak the language indigenous to that culture so again, in that situation, there is little support for speaking English.  Communication should always flow effortlessly in such gatherings; it’s a sign of the vitality of the relationship.  Awkward silences and stilted communication are associated with anxieties, usually stemming from some disturbance in the relationship, hardly conducive to a fun gathering.

Another deterrent to learning English for many ESL students is simply a lack of time.  There are many chores to be dealt with – shopping, cooking, cleaning, arranging their children’s schedules, working, caring for parents and in-laws, etc.  Some students say that they only have time to practice their English during the ESL class.  There really is no time for reading newspapers or books in English, not to mention the time required consulting a dictionary.  This lack of time often leads to the common feeling among ESL students that their English just isn’t improving.  And then they feel bad about themselves. 

While these numerous roadblocks may seem almost insurmountable, yet many students cheerfully soldier on, making progress at whatever pace they can.  They have a goal in mind, related to their own vision of personal success which drives them forward in this endeavor.

At this juncture, the question may be asked, Which format is better for working with ESL students, either on an individual basis or in small groups?  I have done both and can see advantages to both methods.  Working with an individual allows us to quickly reach those areas, unique to the student, which will most benefit that person.   They also get much more practice in using English, as they are having to participate fully in any interaction.   Within a group setting, many viewpoints are heard, many concerns are brought up, all of which will help each participant to realize that they are not alone in their struggles.  In unity there is strength.  As lagniappe to that is the opportunity to learn about other world cultures in a friendly, supportive environment as well as the opportunity to forge new friendships.

In conclusion, I would like to stress that the benefits of working with ESL students is not one-sided.  While the students are gaining mastery of English, all participants are gaining an appreciation of each other’s culture.   We are delighted to see the similarities and curious about the differences.  Truly, I have been most deeply impressed by the hard work and dedication to their vision shown by the men and women with whom I work.