“The limits of my language are the limits of my world.” - Ludwig Wittgenstein

“The limits of my language are the limits of my world.”
 - Ludwig Wittgenstein

For our English language learning clients, the above statement couldn't be any more true. They are finding that their aspirations for both themselves and their families are very intricately bound to their dedication of learning and building from basic English communication skills. However, this looks very different based on each individual’s level of English and achievement rate.

For many of our beginning learners, I issue them with “emergency English” skills. By exposing them to high frequency words and conditioning them to associate meaning, they can use their understanding of very few words in a variety of contexts. I have adapted the name “trigger” for this strategy. I teach these clients what the most likely desired response is when their hear or see isolated words. Initially, they are posed with many of the same questions (What is your name? Where are you from?) and by learning key words (name, from, country) rather than whole phrases that are grammatically sound, they can more readily participate and respond in conversation.

For many of our advanced students, I work not only with typical aspects such as grammar and varied vocabulary but also with breaking down other applicable skills. One of these is teaching them the functional English that they will encounter in everyday situations. For many of them, this means distinguishing between the British English that they learned (trousers, film, lift) to the American English that will be more common here (pants, movie, elevator). For these clients, even just the confusion between this handful of words can severely inhibit their potential for comprehension within a sentence or context.

The continued challenge of working with a wide spectrum of levels simultaneously requires precarious instruction each day. As shown in the photo, I designed an activity where the clients used story cubes to associate vocabulary or, depending on their level of English, write entire probable stories based on the pictures that they rolled on their dice. Such exercises allow me to accommodate a variety of levels that promotes both growth and support accordingly in order to individualize the instruction.

*Anne has been with us since the summer of 2013 and currently serves as our Intensive English As A Second Language Instructor.

"I Can Do Life Now"

Ismael Morsal is no stranger to restless days and sleepless nights.  Growing up in the Darfur region of Sudan, conflict surrounded him for most of his life.  He attempted to live his life and raise a family in his homeland, but one night changed everything for him.  While staying with his cousin in the town of Geneina, he awoke to the sounds of the Janjaweed breaking in to the house and killing his cousin.  Miraculously, Ismael managed to gather his wife and two young children, and flee overnight to the neighboring country of Chad—he feared they would be next.

The refugee camp in Chad proved to be only a temporary resting place, as the threat of attack remained ever-present.  A truck eventually brought Ismael’s family to Lagos, Nigeria, where they lived in a refugee camp on the outskirts of town with thousands of displaced persons from across the African continent.

Food was scarce.  Ismael explained that each nationality within the camp had a designated chairman that would make the rounds the night before food rations would arrive, announcing the news via megaphone.  Ismael would awaken early and bring his ration bag and oil container to wait in line for the entire day.  Though no one knew when the next supply would arrive, the evening the food rations were received was full of music, dancing and celebration.

 

It was a life of waiting, and having no idea when the wait would be over.

For Ismael’s family, the wait lasted five years.  Representatives from the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) reviewed the case and eventually approved his family for resettlement in the United States.  On a snowy day in February 2010, Ismael and his family arrived in Indianapolis, Indiana.  They were welcomed at the airport by Catholic Charities staff and escorted to their new home, where dinner was waiting for them. 

Ismael enthusiastically describes the compassionate services he received from Catholic Charities:  cultural orientation, financial assistance, health care coordination, school enrollment, English and pre-employment classes, and, finally, his first job in the United States.  He couldn't believe he was hired to work at a beautiful hotel in the city, and he charmed hotel guests with his bright smile and infectious laugh.

Currently, Ismael is excited to report that for the first time in his life, he is soon to own his own home.  He is now employed by Catholic Charities, lovingly assisting newly arriving refugees in their state of transition and serving as a driver and interpreter.  Also, his family has grown into a family of six, with two children born in the United States.  He is attending classes in graphic design, hoping to advance his existing skills and further support his family.

Reflecting upon the trajectory of his life, he looks at the years spent in fear and hopelessness—and it never ceases to amaze him how life can change.  With his characteristic laugh, he muses:  “Oh..I can’t even describe how it feels..I can do life now.”  


* Ismael is employed by Catholic Charities, lovingly assisting newly arriving refugees in their state of transition and serving as a driver and interpreter.