I want to offer you some insight on the English for Success program. I am so delighted with the progress that we have made with the program. It is tremendous and exciting to say the least.
When the program first started it was a hard road to hoe. The student body was not receptive to our venue. They fought us tooth and nail and did not show much academic or social progress. Their attendance was spotty and their negative attitudes could be measured with a stick.
Now the program is rocking. It is so incredible to see the meshing of cultures and learning. We recently took a classroom expedition to a restaurant. It was to expose the students to assimilation and language immersion in action. They had a wonderful time. To see the growth was tremendous. When we first started working on assimilation, the resistance was overwhelming. The students did not want to embrace the American customs of interaction and etiquette, timeliness, or work ethics. Well, let me tell you all were embraced at our outing. The students mixed well with one another and were communicating cross-culturally with ease. The rule was spoken English only. The Somali, Chinese and the Arabic students were speaking and laughing like lifelong friends. No pressures, no apprehensions – just plain table talk and fun. Table manners, timeliness – start and end by the agreed upon time – and respect for the employees of the establishment – how business works, etc. were discussed and viewed.
It was so gratifying to see the hard work of each student put into action. We went to the Global Mall after lunch and the intermingling continued with complete success. The students put their work and marketing skills to use. They were introducing non-African shoppers to the merchandise and the customs of the merchants. To see them explain, embrace and challenge one another was really great.
Gone were the petty arguments over supremacy by one or the other. Just simple explanation, question and answer amongst classmates. Eureka! we did it!!!!!
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