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English Language Help
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Posted by: That1Guy

I just got off the phone with an instructor at our Adult school, and am so excited, I decided to post this message that will likely be of no value to anyone!

Sandy was VERY helpful, and informed me that ESL classes start in September, and the fact that Tatiana's native language is Russian is not a problem! Apparently, even in tiny Ridgecrest, there is a surprisingly large degree of diversity in the classes.

She also provided a name and number for the Literacy Council. She said they can help, and perhaps even setup one on one instruction for her! (I have left a message with her).

She did not stop there! She also gave me the name and number of a Russian woman who enjoys helping new immigrants (especially Russian-speaking) acclimate to their new surroundings.

So that this note may be of some value - if you are seeking help for your partner, try an adult school in your community. I was very pleasantly surprised by the amount of support that is available!

Guy

Posted by: AkMike

That is good to know Guy. Thanks for posting that.
I'm glad that Tanya learned ahead of time but if she had to learn here I guess that might have been our route.

Posted by: That1Guy

I accompanied Tatiana to her first ESL class yesterday. I joked with her, telling her I felt like I was taking my child for her first day of school.

The folks administering the program were very polite, and friendly. I was a tiny bit disappointed because the other two Russian-speaking students, along with their instructor were not present, but I didn't think this was a major setback. During the first class, they try to establish any existing skills the students already possess, so Monica (Tatiana's instructor) had her reading and then explaining short bits of text. I stayed for about the first half-hour, and then returned before the end of the two-hour session. When I came back, Monica was saying that Tatiana would quickly become very bored with the curriculum because her skills are already beyond what they teach. However, Monica wants her to continue to come to class because they have some movies for her to watch, and some educational materials to read that could be useful for her in the future. Although the poor thing still isn't feeling very well, it is good to see her out of the house and interacting with other people - I am very proud of her.

Posted by: AkMike

I know the feeling! Tanya is taking classes also and other than help with a few words in the text she is doing great too. That and this week is her first week of solo driving back and forth from school.

Posted by: That1Guy

I'll probably catch hell for saying, but it's going to be a while before she's driving on her own. I take her everytime she feels up to some practice (dirt roads only). If anything moves within a half-mile radius, we're stopped.

Posted by: mistermopar

Hey thats great That1Guy that Tatiana is going to school,she may get board in the near future,but at least she is meeting other people.
Hopefully the movies will be of some use to her.

Good luck,

Randy

Posted by: AkMike

LOL, We went thru the dirt road stage last fall. But all in all it was good . Just remember that when you "pucker up" with fear.... Don't yell. They seem to take it personally for some silly reason!.... Go figure???

Posted by: That1Guy

LOL Mike. I have been through this once already with my son...I stay VERY calm, and amused by her, "mama!" when we approach a turn or bump in the road.

Thanks Randy, I think ANY contact with people other than myself is going to be beneficial, and since some of the instructors at the ESL class have a native language other than English, they at least have some experience to rely on to help them help others. I am not sure what movies they have, but some of the books they want her to read are about U.S. government, and could be useful if she decides to go for citizenship. Meanwhile, she'll be getting more exposure to English - she misses Russian language SEVERELY!

guy

Posted by: vic2012

Its so interesting, reading other people's experiences. I've got all this to come this summer. Fortunately, Viki's English is quite good and getting better with our long phone conversations. But co-incidentaly, I mentioned to her yesterday that, when she got here, I would get her a small motor to run around in. And, she was horrified at the prospect of driving straight away. Especially as we drive on the wrong side, something she's never seen before.

I can see this this IS going to be an interesting experience!

Posted by: RoninRWP

That1Guy,

I don't know your situation, so perhaps you have addressed this already.
Do you have any outlets for Tanya to decompress from English immersion? Like a some other RW that she can call or get together with to discuss shared experiences in the Russian language?

RoninRWP

Posted by: That1Guy

Hi Ronin,

"Decompress" is an interesting term (and quite likely an apt one in this case). Other than her mother, she does speak with a woman in New England. We continue to talk about communication (I continue to feel like I am failing badly) and she says there are many times when she knows exactly what she wants to say, but cannot because she hasn't the vocabulary. Unfortunately, my Russian vocabulary is extremely limited, and so I have the strong feeling that many things are simply going unsaid. It is good see her able to express herself so freely in her native language. And during these phone conversations, it appears that a lot of thoughts are finally able to be expressed. (decompression)

I might add that her immersion into English is not restricted to classes - it is almost all her waking moments.

Guy

Posted by: OzGuyLooking

Guy, has she been on the Russian part of this site lately, I know it isn't speaking but it may help her to express herself.

I realise you are taking this somewhat personally but it is plain to me that you are trying as hard as you can. Hang in there and you'll both get through it together.

P.S. I'd be working on my Russian in my spare time if I were you also, it may give her something to see that you are both in a similar predicament, even though you are in a native English speaking area. If you speak English one day and Russian the next at home it will give you both a chance to learn together.

Is there a Russian Scrabble?

Posted by: novotul

Guy,
First, congratulations on getting your Tatiana to relocate to the States first! I'm working in Novosibirsk (again), spending time with my Tatiana (again). Life is good here, even if the weather has turned back toward winter yet again.

English immersion is an issue that a lot of folks further along in this process can maybe help us with. My Tatiana has good English skills (one of her job functions is to translate from English to Russian and she is good at it) but when she was in the States she found English immersion difficult. (I am sure that Russian immersion would be very difficult for me, but I live in this English bubble -- broken English being the international language of science -- in Russia so I never immerse!) I made a point, while she was in the States with me, to go out with my Russian teacher and her husband and those dates were Russian only conversations. Most of what was said I did not understand. Later, sometimes much later, I heard details of what was said. Sometimes from Tatiana, or my teacher, or my teacher's husband ... it is interesting.

I think you don't have a Russian teacher. Can you find one (*not* your Tatiana!)? Are there Russian grocery stores within a reasonable drive-time for you? Oz's comments on the Russian side of this site maybe can be helpful -- but not all will take to it. I doubt that my Tanya would go there, but we will see.

Russian is for sure a very difficult language but they also find English a very difficult language. You know that "what is good for the goose is good for the gander" and I hope you are working on your Russian.

Good luck!

Posted by: That1Guy

Hi Oz...Carl,

Actually Tatiana does spend a good deal of time at the Russian Language RMP as well as other Russian Language forums. Interestingly, some of the women there have advised her to try and spend less time in Russian Language (forums, TV, etc.) environments, and it will help her English progress at a quicker pace. However, I see my role as one of patient-loving support, understanding, and encouragement, so I do not advise her as to what she should or should not be doing. I will however, correct her (she has asked that I do) and try to keep her motivated to study, as well as provide whatever I can to help her. But yes, she does spend time in R.L. forums, and I think it is great, and am very thankful for them.

I spend some time about two or three times per week studying Russian, and also at work, when time permits. My progress is VERY slow!

I do not give up easily though, so I am doggedly continuing.

I have been studying for about a year now.

Carl, there is a Russian instructor at the local community college - I have spoken with him, and plan to begin classes up there as soon as possible. Presently, I think it is more vitally important that I am available for Tatiana. (It is enough that I am away 12 hours per day, 4 days per week with work). Also presently, there simply is not time for me to attend classes on a regular basis. I oten think it is similar to having a child who is very dependent upon me. I know it is my responsibility to foster her growth towards being independent once again. But, I also realize that this is not going to happen overnight. So, any tasks that require interaction with people also require my assistance. I do not want her to feel I am abandoning her to fend for herself, but I also do not want to become a crutch and hamper her progress - I am trying to balance my approach.

There are no Russian shops in Ridgecrest, but we have found several in the L.A. area (We've been to them twice since her arrival). (This is not a practical "every week" solution because it is about a 2-1/2 hour drive). So, she is also doing research on the internet, and gathering information from the R.L. forums about products that are available in the U.S. Typically, she will have a list, and then we go searching in Ridgecrest. I have a private celebration each time I find a product she is familiar with either from Russia or from the forums.

Ok, my celebration is not all that private. We are also ordering products from internet sources. This weekend, I am going to ask the local grocers (Stater Bros. and Albertsons) if they would consider stocking some of the products we have not been able to find here. (At worst, they will say "No", but maybe it will be possible).

Thanks for the support guys - I really do appreciate it!

Posted by: OzGuyLooking

I am glad you are working through this.

Say hi to Tats for me I actually miss her imput in this part of the forum.

Posted by: That1Guy

Hi Oz,

I'll tell her that her presence is missed!

Posted by: dagpop

Hi Guy,

I have checked into ESL class in Des Moines for Rima,when she arrives.They do have summer classes and the price for the classes is very reasonable.
She will have to be tested at the center to see which level of English she will go into.Learning English will be one of the most important things she does.

Posted by: Jerico

Where I live the ESL classes are free of charge.The people that attend are mainly Mexican but many Ukrainians go there also.
My wife found out about the classes on the internet.
She used to go to a local high school at night for the classes.
She speaks perfect English already but it was the best thing that happened to me.
She meet some friends here in this course and now she has Russian friends that come over to the house from time to time. They all live close to us.
There are so many Ukranians that live here it is amazing. i frequent the Russian stores all the time now.There are many nearby my home or our home I should say.
Look around as you might find free classes available for your girl.
Jerry

Posted by: dagpop

Jerico, I hope that Rima can meet some other women from the FSU and make some new friends at the ESL classes.There is a woman,who works at the bank,which is Russian.I will introduce Rima to her.Maybe she will become Rima's friend.Rima has many friends in Uzbekistan and she will want to make new friends in the United States.

Posted by: AkMike

If you guys have sharp eyes like I seem to... You'll spot a Russian woman in a crowd here. I have and even bet Tanya that she is Russian. I won easily . Just look for the pointy toed shoes!
Even up here there is a russian community find a russian owned store or a church and she'll begin to find her own friends. Tanya has found several more ladies at her school.

Posted by: dagpop

Mike, You are right about the shoes.That is all that Rima wears.I have seen other women wear pointed shoes in the United States.I don't know if all are Russian,but I am sure some are.Russians will stand out being dressed up and wearing their lipstick.Another thing I notice about FSU women is that they tatoo highlight around their lips.Rima has her lips highlighted.I wonder if it hurts having it done.

Posted by: novotul

That1guy,

Can you get Dish TV where you live? They have some Russian channels as an extra package. It might help with Russian language deprivation ...

Posted by: skinsfan

ESL classes are usually free at community college's.......FSU women are everywhere. we have met most at the Mall hearing Russian being spoken. find a Russian shop.... usually you can find a Russian newspaper (local) in the Russian grocery....the joke in our house now is....the Russians are coming....the Russians are coming !! i am actually surprised how many FSU people are here, particulary in North Carolina....the shoes are a dead give-away also.......

Posted by: JamesB

Definatly right about the shoes.I work in a club in London and you have the aussia and kiwi girls in Jeans and the Brazilian girls in Skirts and the russian girls in pointy shoes or boots looking like models.My mate says they are beautiful but they seem to disapear after 30.Its true you never see them.lol