Finding Friends and More in the Classroom

The students arrive right on time, no stragglers despite it being the coldest morning of the winter. There is little dialogue beyond “Hello,” and “Brrrrrrr,” as they hurry to their seats.

Eileen Reuss is waiting to greet her students. Eileen has been teaching for several years. You can tell by her smile it never gets old for her.

“It’s cold! Cold this morning,” Eileen chirps, hugging her own shoulders to emphasize her point. She addresses the first student to arrive. “Lidia, did you wear a coat today?”

“A coat?” Lidia repeats. “Yes! It is cold!”

“You’re cold? Everyone, did you hear that? Lidia is cold!” Eileen says with a twinkle in her eye, as the class laughs.

Lidia says, “My daughter-in-law say: ‘Get out the jacket!” And she points to a thin jacket of polar fleece. With Eileen's help, she explains that she came to Woodbury to live with her son and his family last September from Yakutsk, Siberia, Russia. 

“North Siberia,” Lidia explains with a laugh, punctuating the air with an upraised index finger and a bit of humor. And she breaks into the song "Baby Beluga" in perfect English, learned while visiting her granddaughter's preschool class.

This is English as a Second Language (ESL), the beginners' class, a standards-based class for entry-level adults, offered by District 833 Community Education. It is one of many classes in the Adult Basic Education (ABE) program.  All ABE classes are free to qualifying participants.

Eileen, a part-time paid, certified teacher who used to teach grade school, says, "This is so much better! It is so rewarding. When you teach adults, you can become friends. Our relationships often extend long after the class ends. I now have friends who have come from all around the world."

Eileen is joined by volunteer Cindy Klatt. A former bank employee who spent 26 years moving up the corporate ladder, Cindy said she wanted something more from her life. After leaving the bank, she got her degree in theology at Northwestern College, and serves as a volunteer chaplain with the SE Twin Cities Chaplaincy Group.  Cindy has also found "something more" in the classroom, where she has volunteered for four years.  

As a classroom volunteer, Cindy helps move the conversation along, answers questions to prompt the students, and tells personal stories to reinforce Eileen’s teaching. She also corrects homework papers, and provides one-on-one encouragement when the students need help.

The class session begins with the following questions: What is the day of the week? The date? What is the weather like today? An interesting conversation ensues. Imagine trying to explain wind chill to a group of people with very limited English!  When the group all agrees it is very cold, Jing Ru is quick to point out with a smile that it is sunny, too.

To really understand the class, you have to know a little about the students. 

Han Jie, age 75, came from China several years ago. He has been in the beginner's class for a long time and is determined to learn English. A soldier in China, he is now retired and has three children and five grandchildren. 

He has brought one of his three children, Jing Ru, to class. Jing Ru lives with her sister. Her husband works in China and her son attends school in New Mexico. Jing Ru, who was an engineer in China, says that she has retired.  She attends class to learn English for herself, but she also helps Han Jie when he needs help.        

Aberash, the newest student in the class, learned about ESL classes at the YMCA.  She is the wife of a church pastor, and has two children, ages 10 and 8. A stay-at-home mother in Ethiopia, she now works the night shift, cleaning an office building. 

Laura, a single working mom with one son, came from Mexico six years ago.  Her mother and three sisters who live in the area help with her son while she works in a clinic as a cleaner in the evenings. She learned about the class from the Community Education catalog. She wants to be able to communicate better at work.

Lidia, a 65-year-old retired math teacher, speaks four languages (although she argues English doesn't count yet). In spite of only having been in the U.S. a few months, Lidia already volunteers at Lake Middle School, helping students with sewing projects. Just last night, she made spaghetti and homemade meatballs for her grandson—and 35 other kids and coaches on the . 

Robotics? Another difficult word. Eileen walks and talks “robot” while the class giggles. It is clear from their nods that they understand.   

The students turn to their workbooks. This day is a review of the last two units: shopping and work. Part conversation, part grammar lesson, part basic math skills, and opportunity to share practical advice (like how to treat frostbite and where to buy ethnic foods), the lesson moves at a lively pace. 

Han Jie names all the produce in the picture in the shopping lesson: "Banana... Onion... Potatoes..." His smile widens with each word until he is laughing out loud. 

Eileen asks, "Han Jie, can you cook?" 

With prompting from Jing Ru, Han Jie answers, "I CAN cook." 

"What can you cook?" Cindy asks. Without hesitation, Han Jie answers, "Spaghetti!"

The two hours fly by. After the homework assignment is handed out (watch TV or movies and talk with a cashier at the grocery store) and a reminder given to Han Jie and Jing Ru (English only please!), the group says quick goodbyes and file out much as they came in, quietly and right on time. 

Eileen and Cindy both say they feel very blessed to work with the ESL program and to see their students learn and grow. And then, with Eileen off to more classes, they trade a quick, “See you tomorrow.” 

Tomorrow will find Eileen serving in the Christian Closet at Woodbury Lutheran, handing out clothing and encouragement to those in need, while Cindy will be next door at the Christian Cupboard local food shelf. 

And when someone comes in struggling with English, they will refer them to a great program they know a little something about.

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If you are interested in volunteering with the ESL program, or know someone who could benefit from free ESL classes or other ABE classes, contact Susie Evans, ABE Coordinator, 651-768-2341.  Volunteers are needed mornings and evenings. 

I hear the intermediate class has an “exchange” program where they go to Stonecrest Senior Housing for conversation; they learn English and the residents get a visit from some very special guests.  Volunteering in this classroom gives you two ways to serve the community in one.  But, that’s another story for another column.