“If you can communicate, understand well and be understood; it is a big part of starting your new life.”
This 6-million-dollar a year program helps students enrolled in it to find jobs and possibly apply for a US citizenship.
Mark White Hughely is a professor of linguistics and an ESL instructor at Savannah Technical College. This federally funded program helps immigrants and refugees from all over the world assimilate to American life through courses that teach them English amongst other necessary things. This 6-million-dollar a year program helps students enrolled in it to find jobs and possibly apply for a US citizenship.
Moving to America is an adventure that many people from around the world embark on every year. For non-native English speakers, the transition can be particularly daunting, with language barriers and cultural differences to navigate. In this article, we'll explore the experiences of several non-native English speakers who have made the move to America, learning about their challenges, triumphs, and advice for others who are considering making the move.
First, we spoke with Maria, who moved to the United States from India. Maria had learned some English in school but found that her ability to communicate in English was limited when she arrived in America.
"At first, it was really difficult for me," Maria says. "I didn't understand much of what people were saying, and I was too shy to try to speak much. I was worried that I would say something wrong, and people would judge me for it."
Maria found that one of the biggest challenges she faced was trying to navigate everyday tasks, like grocery shopping and going to the doctor. She had to rely on her husband to help her with these tasks, which made her feel dependent and frustrated.
Over time, Maria found that her English skills improved. She began taking English classes at Savannah Technical College and practicing with her husband and friends. She also found that people were generally patient and understanding when she struggled to communicate.
"I think one of the biggest things I learned was that people are generally very kind and willing to help if you just ask," Maria says. "I still struggle with English sometimes, but I feel much more confident now than I did when I first arrived."
Next, we spoke with Zhang, who moved to the United States from China. Zhang had studied English for many years in China but found that her conversational skills were not as strong as she had hoped.
"I had a lot of grammar and vocabulary knowledge, but I struggled with speaking and understanding casual conversations," Zhang says.
One of the things that helped Zhang was taking an English course specifically designed for non-native speakers. In this class, she was able to practice speaking with other students who were in the same boat as her.
"I think one of the most important things is to not be afraid to make mistakes," Zhang says. "It's natural to struggle with a new language, and the more you practice, the better you'll get."
Zhang also found that immersing herself in American culture helped her improve her English skills. She watched American TV shows and movies, listened to English-language music, and tried to engage with her American coworkers and classmates as much as possible.
"I think it's important to embrace the new culture and not try to hold on to your old ways too much," Zhang says. "It can be scary to let go of what you know, but it's also exciting to learn new things and meet new people."
We also spoke with Ahmed, who moved to the United States from Egypt. Ahmed had studied English in school but found that the English he had learned was very formal and didn't necessarily prepare him for casual conversations.
"When I first arrived, I was surprised at how different the English sounded from what I had learned in school," Ahmed says. "I had to learn a whole new set of vocabulary and grammar rules just to be able to have a basic conversation."
Ahmed found that taking an intensive English course helped him improve his skills quickly. He also found that joining a language exchange program, where he could practice his English with native speakers in exchange for helping them with Arabic, was incredibly helpful.
"I think one of the most important things is to not be afraid to put yourself out there and practice as much as you can," Ahmed says. "Even if you make mistakes, people will generally appreciate that you're trying to communicate with them in their language."
Hughely, believes that language and culture go hand in hand and by understanding the language you can easily immerse yourself into the culture. He explains that certain students face difficulties in both, understanding the language and culture after seeking asylum in USA is because linguistically the language the speak is so far away from English that it takes them extra effort and time to find comfort in their new surroundings.
People who are native Spanish speakers, according to Hughely’s teaching experience manage to understand the language (English) and in turn the culture the quickest due to the immense similarity between the two languages, and the fact that they share the same Latin root.
“.. but probably one of the biggest puzzle pieces to fit into going to a new life is the linguistic aspect. It's not the only one, of course, you know” says Hughely upon being asked the concluding question regarding how one can fit in, and start to call a place home.