The next few topics of discussion will be on the obstacles students must overcome at school. Our first Speakers Corner Interview is by OIWP member Sarah Myers with Ms. Olsen, an Overton ESL teacher.
Kids feel excited, scared.
It is easier for most Spanish speakers because their culture is not as different from ours. For the kids that come from Kosovo, Iraq, or Bosnia, it is a much bigger change. The biggest problem here is that the schools' Department of Education doesn't provide enough for the ESL students. Many teachers are not well trained and the ESL students are thrust too early into the system. They don't seem to have enough time to adjust before taking regular courses.