“There will be times when you walk into a room and no one else there is quite like you.”

That’s the opening line of the children’s book On the Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, and it’s a feeling that adult English-language learners at the American Civic Association are in the midst of right now. Class members are immigrants, refugees, and asylees from Haiti, Ukraine, Syria and other countries, starting over in a new place with a new language and customs.

American Civic Association Marketing and Event Coordinator Mary Neufeld wanted to encourage these adult learners: “These are resilient people working hard to learn a new language and culture. Many of them are ready to take on the challenge of college, but are nervous even though their English is incredibly advanced,” she said. Broome Workforce Development Senior Staff Associate Sarah Armstrong suggested bringing in SUNY Broome math professor Tairi Mead to tell her story. “I attended Tairi’s ‘This is Who I Am’ presentation last year. I loved the story of her sixth-grade homeroom teacher insisting on Tairi’s classroom participation even though her English wasn’t perfect. I thought Tairi was just the right speaker for this group,” she said.

Mead spoke to the 25-member class on October 17, sharing her experiences in immigrating to the United States from Mexico as an 11 year old, beginning school in California with no mastery of English. Most of her teachers let Mead read books or write letters to family members, but her homeroom teacher insisted on effort and excellence. “He gave me back my dignity as a student and a person, demanding that I participate and achieve. He believed in me until I could believe in myself,” she said. Mead presented herself as an example that hard work and persistence pay off, and that an accent is not a barrier to education or employment.

American Civic students appreciated Mead’s relevant personal story. Said one, “They let us know that we don’t need perfect English to be able to go to school.”

The American Civic English-language learners class will have two more sessions in the series, both on Broome’s campus. The next session will focus on academic supports, success coaching, and non-academic supports such as the Hornet Hope Center. A third session will focus on credit for prior learning and understanding the requirements (including the relevant documentation needed) of applying to college and financial aid.

For more information about the American Civic Association, visit americancivic.com.

Professor Tairi Mead Speaks to American Civic Association English Students (pdf)

Submitted by: Sarah Armstrong, Workforce Development

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