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Adult Learning Center, patrons learn from each other
Published 9/12/2009 in GCCC Anniversary
By RACHAEL GRAY
We learn as much about them as they do about us, said Linda Miller, the head English as a Second Language instructor in the Adult Learning Center at Garden City Community College. Miller works daily with refugees and immigrants who have moved to the United States and Finney County in hopes to better their lives.
The Adult Learning Center is a community service that provides refugees, immigrants and foreign students with resources to adapt to American life. The center also provides a GED program for people who "either need another chance or were never given the first," Miller said.
The center helps about 1,000 people each year. Miller said the ESL program serves 600, and the GED program serves nearly 400 people. Of those, 200 are refugees.
Miller said the last two or three years have brought more people to Garden City, which, in turn, has made the center busier. She stressed the importance of the center's services in a community of diversity, such as Garden City.
"We help the people who come from other countries to learn to survive, live comfortably and gain independence," she said.
Miller referred to the Burmese and Somali communities.
"They're not used to our way of life. We're here to help them with that," she said.
The Adult Learning Center provides services to assist newcomers in learning the laws of the United States and Garden City, driving lessons, language lessons, information on seeking legal advice, lessons in personal documents, apartment help, assistance in locating health care and basic job skills.
Miller said the largest populations that currently use the center's services are Hispanics, Somalis and Burmese.
Somalis, an East African mostly Sunni Muslim people, began to arrive in the United States in high numbers after political turmoil increased in Somalia in the early 1990s. As of 2007, the Central Intelligence Agency reported 1.1 million Somalis are refugees or internationally displaced persons.
Miller said they came here for jobs and most work at Tyson Fresh Meats.
The Adult Learning Center also has experienced increased traffic with the Burmese population.
Political unrest in the southeast Asian country of Myanmar, also known as Burma, drove 503,000 Burmese out of their country as of 2007, according to the CIA. Many lived in refugee camps in Thailand before coming to the United States. Miller said they also mostly work at Tyson.
The biggest population the center serves is the Hispanic population, Miller said. She said the Hispanic people come from a variety of countries such as Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Costa Rica.
Miller, who came to GCCC as a non-traditional student and began working in the center five years ago, said her job has made her more aware of foreign people in Garden City.
"They're smart. They work hard," she said. They're also doing strenuous work at Tyson, she said.
Velia Mendoza, refugee coordinator at the Adult Learning Center, said the center always provides opportunities to learn American ways but keeps old traditions intact and appreciated. She said in the center, people constantly demonstrate their culture to each other, whether it's in the form of sharing food, teaching dance or wearing traditional dress.
"We have a lot of fun here," she said.
Frederick Elad, instructor in level four English in the center, said the ESL students have the desire to learn a language -- a trait not often found in high school or college students when faced with foreign language requirements.
"They came to America because they wanted something. They know they must learn English in order to get it," he said.
Gracie Kyaw, a student in Elad's class, from Burma, said she takes English classes to expand her job possibilities. She said she stays home to cook and provide for her family, but said she also wants more.
"I want to learn English to work at Mosaic," she said.
On the Web:
Listen to a podcast of Steve Quakenbush, information services director with Garden City Community College, discussing the history of the college and Sunday's 90th anniversary celebration at GCTelegram.com/podcasts.
Garden City Community College: www.gcccks.edu
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