ESL Classes (English as a Second Language)

Because of generosity on the part of First Church, many ministries happen. One of those is English as a Second Language classes, initiated by Rev. Young Son. Cathy Bingamin shares some surprising outcomes of what she thought was an English class.

We will teach English. That’s what we thought anyway. Young Son told us there was a need for English instruction in Austin, so we recruited volunteers and opened our doors in December of 2002. Our class filled almost immediately with people wanting to improve their English skills, but needing much, much more.

Many came because they are wives of UT students living in UT housing. They had no transportation and little confidence in their English skills. They spent their days sitting in their tiny apartments watching TV. Most of these women are college educated and held very good jobs in their own countries. Here they were adrift. Not allowed to work or attend school, they were lonely and miserable. Our students met others in the same situations. They began to plan events together outside our class. Without intending to, we became a social network.

They needed help with day to day activities. Solange from Cameroon needed help passing her driving test. We got driver’s education books from DPS and ran several classes on driving rules. Solange appeared a week later proudly waving her new driver’s license.

Ji Yeoun needed a notary. My husband’s office is two blocks from the church, so we walked over after class and took care of that problem.

They wanted to know what to do if they got sick suddenly, or needed a dentist. We had classes on health issues and explained where to find an emergency clinic. We provided them with a copy of the “Austin’s Best Doctors” article.

They were afraid of being stopped by police. We explained what they should do at a traffic stop. We talked to them about liability insurance requirements and state inspections.

Gemma from Mexico was enrolling her two children in middle school. She spoke very little English. She was completely flummoxed by all the forms she was given to fill out. Kathy Morales devoted a day to helping her and other parents fill out forms and understand PTA and booster clubs.

We discovered that many had lived here for years and never been inside an American’s home, so we invited them to our homes. Pam Tackett hosted Christmas parties for our ESL students.

Edward from Africa was hesitant about meeting Americans. He said his government blames all the countries ills on America, so he was not sure what kind of people we would be. During the month he was here, we had great discussions; he was a passionate socialist. We didn’t convert him to capitalism, but when he had to return to Africa he stood up in class and tearfully thanked us for being so kind to him. He promised to spread the word in his own country that Americans were “people of good hearts”.

So, yes we teach English. But that’s just one of our missions. We’ve discovered we are sometimes the only Americans foreign visitors have a chance to know personally. We are here to listen, to hold their hands and to help out any way we can. And for me and the other volunteers, our rewards are the hugs and tears we get when our students move on to the next phase of their lives.

Cathy Bingaman