Student Spotlight

Stories of how students are learning, connecting, and achieving their goals.

Creating Community in Watertown

On April 24, Watertowners gathered to hear Community Stories presented by Project Literacy and the Watertown Citizens Refugee Support Group. 17 presenters, all of whom identify as English language learners, shared their stories with a full house of neighbors, family and friends.

The theme of the showcase was “belonging.” The stories and perspectives were as brilliant and diverse as the group of presenters. Dr. Elif Ozan kicked off the evening with her perspective as a clinical researcher in psychology at McLean Hospital. She highlighted how one’s sense of belonging can affect all aspects of human health. She framed her own experience as a new arrival in Watertown as a journey up Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs pyramid, starting from securing the most basic needs of day-to-day life, and moving up towards deeper social connection. Ihsan Karayazi told a moving story of his childhood experience of Kurdish displacement in Turkey. He said that “Moving to Watertown brought that lost, never-lived childhood back to me” because he finds himself surrounded by Armenian grocers and restaurants that remind him of his heritage and his grandmother’s cooking.

Some of the most impressive storytellers were the youngest of the line-up. Eight-year-old Mateo, WHS sophomore Myselie, and nine-year-old Cathy shared compelling and heartfelt stories of what and whom they love in their new homes in Watertown, and in the homes they left behind.

A common thread among many of the narratives was the role of language and communication in one’s sense of belonging. Several speakers shared how their proficiency and confidence in English (and other languages) was closely tied to their sense of connection with their communities. They talked about specific classes, teachers and opportunities that helped open those linguistic connections, including services they accessed through Project Literacy and the Watertown Citizens Refugee Support Group.

Photo credits: Jamie Kallestad, Watertown Free Public Library

It was here in class that I found reason to believe that I can learn.
The classes are wonderful. Thank you for making dreams come true.

~ Rosiane, Project Literacy learner

Beginning the Conversation: Small-Group Tutoring for Newcomers

Project Literacy continues to see an increase in new, recently arrived neighbors seeking beginner-level English classes. In an effort to offer them instruction soon after their assessment interviews, Project Literacy is expanding the program’s beginner level options.

Several volunteers have been working in teams of 2 or 3 (and some on their own) with beginner groups of 6-10 learners. A group of these tutors participated in a panel recently to share their teaching strategies and experiences with other volunteers and to answer questions.

The tutors had a variety of backgrounds prior to taking on the beginner groups: one-on-one tutoring at Project Literacy and in neighboring communities; working with young students locally as well as internationally; reading specialization; and, bilingual education. The group leaders work to accommodate the variety of learners’ backgrounds as well. Some beginners have been in the program longer or are more advanced, so multiple tutors can split the class for part of the session to accommodate the needs of each level and then bring the group back together again.

The tutor’s role is to create a supportive and effective learning environment focused on English that helps the learners deal with real-life situations they encounter. Topics might include: how to ask questions; how to use US money; and, how to transfer formal language to the casual everyday English that most people use (for example, explaining the phrase “What’s up?” and whether it is OK to say to one’s supervisor at work).

Many learners don’t want to “look silly” and this holds them back. That’s why the instructors allow learners time to process questions and directions. They provide a safe space with patient listeners, and they encourage learners by letting them know they’re improving.

The group experience for beginners lets them learn from others’ questions, have fun laughing together, and establish bonds with people from a variety of cultures. It’s a great way to help newcomers settle into their new home communities, and a strong start to their English-language journeys.