A pair of Semiahmoo Secondary students have used their experience of coming to Canada to help shape an ESL program for fellow youth.
Angel Chu and Rika Sugimoto, born in Taiwan and Japan, respectively, began the English Learner’s Club last year.
The free program, developed and implemented by the two Grade 12 girls, was held on Monday evenings at White Rock Library from November to December.
The decision to start the program came after Sugimoto, 18, learned that unlike Surrey Library’s Reading Buddies, White Rock did not have a reading club of its own.
After discussing the idea with Chu, both agreed there was more need for an ESL program.
“We decided to help them with oral and listening skills, rather than reading skills,” Chu, 18, said, noting they hope to repeat the program next fall if their post-secondary schedules allow.
The program, which also fit into the teens’ International Baccalaureate curriculum, focused on interaction between participants in order to better learn the language, Sugimoto said.
“In the beginning, they were nervous, but after a couple of sessions, they were so engaged. Having a small group worked well,” Sugimoto said. “Also focused a lot on encouraging each other.”
Chu noted that the program – dubbed Stage English – was unique in that it required participants to stand for the entire class.
“To maintain their focus, so they’re moving around and staying active, instead of dozing off,” she said.
The duo started with pronunciation practice, then moved on to scenarios.
“We made it so that we would teach the first person, then he or she would teach the next person – like a chain,” Chu said. “Teaching is the best way to learn.”
In order to get the word out about the program, Chu and Sugimoto put ads in local newspapers and through orientation nights at the school for the IB program.
By the time the first class began, there were six participants.
The multilingual students set a theme for each week that would focus on subjects like encouragement and mannerisms.
“We’re thinking of how to integrate them into the community,” Chu said, noting that she drew upon her past experience as an ESL student. “When I was here, I wanted to have the opportunity to practise my speaking and listening skills. I think that’s the confidence barrier.
“I know people say it’s the language barrier that is preventing them from integrating fully into society, so I feel like it’s the confidence that will get that going.”
The participation in the class was a boost of confidence for the two students as well. Sugimoto noted that despite she and Chu not having formal training to teach an ESL course, the participants were not deterred.
Chu recalled one student – a young boy – who, at first, was unwilling to participate despite his mother’s urging. By the middle of the class, he was in the very front, raising his hand to answer questions.
“Even though we’re just high school students, it was great that the students and parents participated,” Sugimoto said.
“I was really happy for those people who helped us develop this project as we went along.”