The Actual First Meeting
 

I finally met with my student this week.  She is a bright, happy, round-faced 20-year old that smiles and laughs easily.  I was very nervous at our meeting, as I have not yet acquired confidence in my teaching skills.  But when I asked her what she wanted to do and she promptly exclaimed, “Read!”  Her enthusiasm was contagious.  After working together and reading out loud for almost an hour and a half, I could tell that she was getting tired.  At least I know that I was getting tired.

We sat and talked about life in general.  She asked me about the town that I live in and when I told her, she asked if I was afraid to live here.  I assured her that I wasn’t.  I had explained that I live in a wooded area with many animals such as wild turkeys, deer and coyotes.  She didn’t know what a coyote was and my translating dictionary came in handy for the explanation.

She said that her father has just arrived here a few months ago from China.  He doesn’t understand English yet and because of this, he has been unable to find a job.  I asked what his job was in China and she told me that he was in banking.  At our next meeting, I want to ask her if her father would be willing to take a waiter or cook job here at one of the Asian restaurants.  I will then approach the Asian Executives about it.  It would at least give him a steady paycheck and medical benefits until he can learn enough English to get a better job.

A common mistake we Americans make is that we believe all immigrants are ignorant.  We stereotype and lump them into one common pot of humanity.  Simply because someone does not understand English does not mean they are stupid.  Most of us would be in the same situation if we suddenly found ourselves in Croatia or Tibet.  I know that I could not ask for directions or a glass of water without help if I found myself in a non-English speaking country.  I’d be lost.  I have to admire the determination of these people to leave their homeland and start over again with nothing.  

I left her with a couple of the young reader books of Ryan's that I had brought with me and a Find-the-Word puzzle.  I offered to give her a ride home, but she assured me that she wanted to spend more time that evening in the library and she could catch the bus home.  We have agreed to meet again next week.