We call it English as a Second Language (ESL) class, but it has become so much more.
A few weeks ago, the teachers brainstormed some ways to make language learning a little more hands-on. What if we practiced numbers, measuring and following directions in English by building something? After a little research, we decided to have the men build a small wooden stool.
Since this is a brand new class with no direct funding at this point, we now needed some resources to make it happen. With an email request to GiftCardGiver.com, we quickly had Home Depot gift cards in hand to purchase supplies. Some of our volunteers brought in power drills, screwdrivers, and straight edges. A table saw and jigsaw topped it all off.
The lesson started with a brief introduction and practice of the tool names in English and the all-important “Safety First” lecture. The men were hushed, taking in every word, but then gathered in close as someone demonstrated each tool. Suddenly, it occurred to me that none of these men had ever seen a power tool. They recognized the hand saw, but the rest…they had entered a new world.
As we broke into groups, I could sense the hesitation in most of the men. They wanted to do it right, but were uncertain about the directions and those tools. It didn’t last long. Once that table saw got started and we convinced the first few to try it themselves, the noise level and the excitement in the room grew. They grew more confident with each step successfully completed. I think each one of them by evening’s end had used at least one of the power tools. And when the women and children joined around to watch and admire as they finished, the broad smiles spoke volumes.
As I watched the camaraderie, the dancing eyes, and pride in a finished product, I realized that something special had occurred that evening. Just a few days before, I had heard that at least 3 Bhutanese men had committed suicide since moving to the United States. Alone, overwhelmed and without hope they chose to die rather than trying to build a new life in a new country.
I think we built more than just wooden stools at ESL last night.
