|  | | | | | Students determined to succeed despite barriers | |
Many SPCLC students overcome tremendous
barriers and obstacles in their efforts to educate themselves and build
better lives for themselves and their families. This page includes
stories about individual students.
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Intergenerational Success at Lao Family English SchoolHmong Refugees find their voice at Hmong Cultural Center Hope in a New Land at Hmong American PartnershipIntergenerational Success at Lao Family English School
Margarita and Charlie: Last year, the Lao Family Community English School added GED classes to its Education Program offerings. One of the first to register was former student Margarita. Fifteen years ago, she was one of the first family literacy learners with her 3-year-old son, Charlie. She was ready for an opportunity to get back into an English class. "I had been on waiting lists for 2 years before Lao Family called me in to take a test. I started the afternoon GED class and have learned so much. I am now practicing the sample tests online and hope to take the real exam next year." Margarita hopes to continuing studying in order to eventually earn a nursing degree.
Last year, son Charlie was an active senior at Johnson High School next door to our Arcade Street site. He began dropping by Passages, the English School after-school program for high school students. He used our computer lab and got staff assistance to fill out application forms. And it paid off. Charlie is now a proud economic supply officer in the United States Marines. He is stationed in North Carolina where he is receiving training to become a pilot.
Lao Family English Education Programs laid the foundation of success for a newly arrived mother and son who spoke no English 15 years ago. Today we are able to support and witness their efforts to achieve their American dreams.
Gloria and Joshua: Gloria Avila and her three-year-old son, Joshua, registered for the Lao Family English School in May, 2007. She came to the U.S. from Mexico in 2002. After the first few difficult years of not feeling at all confident in English, and the birth of Joshua, she was ready for school.
Her placement score indicated GED level, but she was not so sure: "Teacher John helps me a lot. Thanks to him, I got my GED on December 24, 2008."
Gloria was reluctant to tell us at LFES that she passed her GED tests, because she thought she and Joshua may be told they can no longer come to class. "We don't want to stop coming to school, and are glad we get to stay." They will continue at LFES until Joshua starts kindergarten. Gloria hopes to one day focus on graphic design and find work in that field.
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Hmong Refugees find their voice at Hmong Cultural Center
Saovanee
Anuyun came to the Hmong Cultural Center in October 2007.
When Saovanee first came to the agency, she didn't know how to write,
read or speak English at all. It was very difficult for her at the
beginning. She kept trying. Saovanee can now write, read, and speak in
English. She is dedicated to her learning and would like to get her GED
in the near future.
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Hope in a New Land at Hmong American Partnership
Teng Chue Yang is a 63 year old Hmong American man who has
been attending English class at Hmong American Partnership since 2005,
when he first arrived from Wat Tham Krabok, Thailand. Mr. Yang became a
soldier for CIA in Laos at the age of thirteen; he is a survivor of the
Secret War in Laos and a respected member of his clan and community.
When
he first registered for English class, he had no faith in his ability
to learn English. He felt that at his age, learning a new language was
a lost cause.When asked what his personal education goals are, Mr.
Yang had a very difficult time coming up with any. He simply felt it
would be a miracle if he ever learned enough English to express himself
at all; thus, he chose “improve English skills” as the only goal.
It
has been three years since he first started English. Despite his
initial hopelessness, Mr. Yang diligently walks to and from English
class and does not miss class unless he has to (which is rare). Today,
Mr. Yang speaks English very well, enough so that he inspired his
daughter to also attend English class at HAP. These days, when his
teacher calls him at home, he can have conversations with her in which
he explains why he missed a day of class and when his teacher can
expect him to come to class. When he is in class, this man who is a
very proud and aloof man is energetic, hilarious, outspoken, and intent
on demonstrating the growth he’s experienced in three years as an
English learner at Hmong American Partnership.
“We are in
America now. We must learn to speak English. Personally, I feel that
even if I am not ever going to be fluent in English, I will at least
speak enough English to help myself. This is a show of self-respect and
respect for this country.”
Ju Si is a member of the Karen ethnic group from Burma. Before she came to America, Ju Si lived in a Thai refugee camp for thirteen years where she attended classes in Karen, Burmese, and English. As a child, and before she fled to Thailand, Ju Si was separated from her family when Burmese soldiers pillaged her village. When talking about her life here vs. her life in Burma, Ju Si says this about Burma: “Many, many bad things happen…I can’t explain.”
Ju Si has been attending English classes at HAP since she first arrived in Minnesota in 2007. Her ABE goals include being able to explain illness or pain to a doctor, report an emergency, and fill out and submit a job application.
As someone who has experienced many tragedies, Ju Si is very interested in the world around her and her role in shaping it (world politics). When she first came to HAP, Ju Si tested into level I. Today, she is a high level III; she watches the BBC news every night. In her words, Ju Si says, “…because they talk about what happen in the world…in Burma.” Her English has improved significantly; specifically, she has achieved the goals she identified early on when she first began English class. As she notes, “My English is so much better today, Teacher! I teach what I learn in class to my babies every night.”
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