Lee University Impacting Students Through ESL
By Missy Colter
Lee University began offering English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to the community in late January, bringing students from all over the world to Lee’s campus.
The students come from many different countries including: Thailand, Russia, Armenia, Laos, and several Latin American countries. Most of the students are non-traditional in nature, coming from various age groups and origins. About 15 students regularly attend the class, while some attend intermittently as their jobs allow.
Natasha, a student from Moscow, Russia, is a faithful attendee of the class who has gained a better understanding of the English language through Dr. Wilkins’ teaching. She heard about this opportunity to improve her English through her friend, Yulia, who also attends the class.
Natasha came to the U.S. four years ago, after her husband and his family decided to leave Russia to come to the states. Natasha was granted a green card and would like to continue her education, either at Lee or an area community college, but she has put her educational plans aside for now because she and her husband are expecting their first child.
Natasha has learned English mainly through listening to conversations and interacting with Americans. She says this class has helped her, though, to understand the complexities and rules of the language. When asked what was has been the hardest thing about learning English, she said, “Oh everything is difficult. I don’t think I could pick just one thing.”
These classes, taught by Dr. James Wilkins, provide ESL students with the opportunity to build vocabulary and enhance writing skills in the beginning and intermediate levels. “Our goals are a level of acceptance and English language skills that will facilitate their ability to function in our community, and to enhance their integration into it,” says Wilkins. “I do think the students are meeting these goals, all in different ways.”
“There is no greater joy for a teacher than working with highly motivated learners,” says Wilkins. “That’s what these English language learners are. I sense more and more the need, both in my French classes and ESL classes to offer language instruction that is more practical in nature, dealing with the things we are called to encounter, or likely to encounter in our lives…and as something that enables us on a variety of levels: enables us to work, buy, learn, share, forgive, help.”
(Source: www.leeuniversity.edu)
