Volunteer/English tutor training session w/Steve Rainey

Hi. My name is Ruth Heim and I have been working with IRC as a volunteer now for approx. 1 month. I have been a volunteer in my community since the tender age of 10. I love to help people in any way that I can. I thank my parents and my faith for inculcating that desire in me.

So with that being said, Joanie asked me to share some of the highlights from a recent English training session held by Steve Rainey from the English Language Center, where clients go for classes.

• He started off with breaking down how refugee agencies work and are funded. Under the umbrella of the Idaho Office of Refugees are the resettlement agencies: World Relief, Agency for New Americans and IRC.
• The US government has provided very little benefit to the refugee agencies with regard to extra funds.
• As of the end of April 2009, approx. 160 refugee families will be homeless due to the fact that they have been unable to find employment due to our bad economy unless additional funds are found to help with this problem.
• In the past, before the bad economy, the average time for a refugee to find employment was 3 months.
• All 3 refugee agencies are all required to use the English Language Center for English classes.
• As mentors/volunteers we need to be extremely compassionate and understanding.
• When teaching English, we need to be conscientious about not over correcting their English errors.
• Don't use baby talk, when speaking with families. Speak slowly short, but full sentences.
• Speak correctly; use grammatically correct English at all times.
• Use meaningful experiences when teaching.
• Pause between words.
• Avoid using pictures or photos when referring to people. Draw stick figures. Stick figures are non-threatening.
• Do not ask questions about what happened to them or their family before arriving in the US. Many are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and their brains are not ready to deal with talking about their experiences.
• Due to secondary Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, be prepared to listen when they are ready to share their experiences.

I hope you find this blog helpful.

Ruth Heim, IRC magalitranslations@gmail.com