Tutoring Days 2 and 3

On Wednesday November 14th and Thursday November 15th I continued tutoring at Presentation Lantern. Although they were my 3rd and 4th visits to the center, my first day there was strictly cleaning, so these were my second and third times tutoring. My second day as a tutor I walked into the classroom and saw smiling faces of a half-dozen tutors and students. These students varied in ages, and were from all sorts of different countries. I was paired up with Norma, a middle-aged woman from South America who speaks limited English. She came to Dubuque with four sisters and a brother and all of their children. Norma has a son and is expecting another child. All of this she communicated to me through pictures and broken sentences. Part of the mission of Presentation Lantern Center is to provide hospitality, so not only do I teach English but I also get to engage in meaningful conversation with people there and learn about their lives. We develop relationships that are more like friendships than the strict student-teacher relationships of many tutoring organizations. The students are entirely voluntary, and we don't have expectations as to how far they need to advance day-to-day, so it is a very stress-free environment. Another wonderful aspect of the center is that students are allowed to bring their children with them. There is a section of the classroom that is carpeted and overflowing with toys to keep the children occupied while still in view of their parent(s). Sometimes I play with the children during our break. There is a big dollhouse that all the little girls enjoy. I find it amazing how the language barrier doesn't stop the children from playing together! Friendships are valued at the center. I have sampled some authentic Japanese teas that some of the women brought to America with them. It truly is a rewarding place to be. While there, I'm reminded of the work I do with special needs students during the summer, and I recall on methods that worked with them that I can try to express points to the new students. On Thursday I had a very difficult time explaining to Norma the difference between "how much" and "how many" and also that "should not" and "shouldn't" mean the same thing. Fortunately we found a way for her to understand, and she was excited to go to the grocery store to buy food! Even though Thursday was my last day of volunteering for this class, I will continue to tutor there because I have fallen in love with the center and the people there!