2008 Woodie Awards
Poder a través del ingles
Students by day, teachers by night-Macalester students learn the meaning of global citizenship in ESL classrooms across the Twin Cities.
By: Kristin Riegel, Associate Features Editor
Issue date: 11/22/07 Section: Magazine Fall 2007
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On Thursday nights, Emily Hanson '11 arrives at Central Presbyterian Church in St. Paul around 5:30 p.m., climbs a flight of stairs, and follows the arrowed signs that say "FIRE English School." After entering the main classroom at the Foundation for Immigrant Resources and Education (FIRE), she pulls out a lesson plan book and begins planning the lesson for the Beginner's class.
By 6:00 p.m., the students start trickling in. Hanson greets each student with a friendly smile and hello. The students smile back and respond to the greeting, some timidly, some with great confidence.
By 6:15 p.m., it is time for school to begin. This isn't just any school, however; this is FIRE, an adult literacy school for immigrants and refugees, a place where everyone is a learner.
For FIRE volunteers and learners the organization's motto, "Through literacy and community come empowered lives" isn't just a slogan but a philosophy. According to FIRE's website, FIRE works not only to teach English, but also to empower people through learning the skills necessary to communicate with others, to build community with people from diverse backgrounds, and to adapt to life in the United States.
With classes four nights a week, free childcare, a "socializing hour" complete with cookies and coffee, and a dedicated staff of over 25 volunteers, FIRE is much more than just an English school.
More than 25 adult students from countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Panama, Somalia, Cuba, and Mexico attend FIRE, where they not only learn English, but are also encouraged to teach and contribute to the school.
Through "dance parties" where students bring music from their home countries, a writing class that helps advanced learners write about their experiences for publication, and a prayer room for Muslim students, FIRE offers a welcoming environment where students of all nationalities and abilities can come to learn, relax, and build community with their fellow learners and teachers.
By 6:00 p.m., the students start trickling in. Hanson greets each student with a friendly smile and hello. The students smile back and respond to the greeting, some timidly, some with great confidence.
By 6:15 p.m., it is time for school to begin. This isn't just any school, however; this is FIRE, an adult literacy school for immigrants and refugees, a place where everyone is a learner.
For FIRE volunteers and learners the organization's motto, "Through literacy and community come empowered lives" isn't just a slogan but a philosophy. According to FIRE's website, FIRE works not only to teach English, but also to empower people through learning the skills necessary to communicate with others, to build community with people from diverse backgrounds, and to adapt to life in the United States.
With classes four nights a week, free childcare, a "socializing hour" complete with cookies and coffee, and a dedicated staff of over 25 volunteers, FIRE is much more than just an English school.
More than 25 adult students from countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Panama, Somalia, Cuba, and Mexico attend FIRE, where they not only learn English, but are also encouraged to teach and contribute to the school.
Through "dance parties" where students bring music from their home countries, a writing class that helps advanced learners write about their experiences for publication, and a prayer room for Muslim students, FIRE offers a welcoming environment where students of all nationalities and abilities can come to learn, relax, and build community with their fellow learners and teachers.
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