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I was 16, when I took the ESL courses. If that was the only option available to me, I would have a very hard time making across the language and the culture barrier. The idea in those courses was to sit in a class room and learn how to read a newspaper in America, how to write a letter in America, how to communicate in America. My point is that we and they and you are in America, go and read a newspaper, write a letter, or communicate.

I have more observations. In 1994 my sister went to high school, and I enrolled in college. She had much harder time crossing the language and the culture barrier, than I did. I believe that the source of her difficulties were based on the artificial and academic approach, when I had many more real opportunities. She is two years younger than me, and she always did better with language and school in general.

ESL classes are good. I think that there are better and faster methods for foreigners to come on board. How can you grasp the culture and the language through a book or a lecture? Active involvement may just be a better approach than a passive learning environment.

posted 4 years, 7 months ago
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My family immigrated to the US from Ukraine in the summer of 1994. I just finished high school and literally knew only a couple of phrases in English (mostly from the MC Hammer and Madonna songs). I was in college two months later. I did take three ESL classes in 1994/1995 year. I wish I didn't. I did not learn much from the ESL classes; I also think that the formal learning is not a way to assimilate a different culture and language. I don't think that anyone can transition into English by spending an hour or two a day in a formal environment.

I found people, work, and regular classes much more helpful in absorbing new language and culture. I believe that I would benefit much more by receiving a more informal help instead of a lecture or assignment based education. I think that more real life situations are much more effective in accelerating the transition to English and to the American culture.

I have employees in my company from OSU, UO, WSU, and UW. I consistently notice the feedback "I have learned more working with you than during the last four years in school". I believe that more realistic interactions are more effective primarily due to the importance of reality vs artificial environment and the very interactive nature of the practice. My point is that doing it is much different from studying it.

I think that foreign immigrants and visitors are definitely in a fix trying to jump the culture gap. In my opinion the formal learning environment is not the best tool to assist such people. After all many of the people here did not learn their basics in a formal setting - think of kindergarten, preschool, family interactions, and friends.

posted 4 years, 7 months ago
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