Hero photograph
 
Photo by Ben Gresham

New ESOL class helps parents keep learning

Norma Orlowski and Vida Zelenka —

11ELC is a new class at Hagley this year. It is mainly for students who have children at the pre-school or at Hagley College.

The students come from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran and Somalia. New refugee quota students who have just arrived in New Zealand may join the class throughout the year.

In the class we are focusing on literacy – learning to read and write so that students can become independent in their lives in New Zealand. Students are also learning how to speak clearly and confidently in everyday situations, for example: asking if they can try something on at a clothes shop or saying that they don’t understand. Maths for life is part of the class programme. Students are learning to use a computer not only in their normal class but also in an extra computer class on Thursday afternoon if they want to learn more. It is great to see our students using what they have learnt in class, in their lives beyond school.

There are several teachers and teacher-aides who work with the class. It is a multi-level class where students can work comfortably at their own pace. The students are doing really well and becoming more independent in this friendly classroom environment where they are supported by teachers, teacher-aides and their classmates.

The students feel happy about their learning and the progress that they are making.

One of our older students has said about the class: “This year it’s different, learning more and more. Very happy.”