Kate and Veerpal started meeting in August of 2009. They have been working for over a year to support Veerpal's work from her Whatcom Community College English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, as well as building general conversation and writing skills. They've used a wide range of materials, such as nursing books, word puzzles, recipes, songs, poems, stories and computers during their sessions. Veerpal recently met her goal of exiting ESL classes at Whatcom Community College. This means she was able to pass an exit exam that showed proficiency as an advanced student in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Congratulations to Kate and Veerpal! They both offered to write about their experiences. Enjoy!

            -Summer Ostlund, ELL Coordinator

Veerpal & Kate

 Veerpal's Story

I came from India. I came here in 1993. I didn't speak English at that time, and I had a hard time.  Going to work was hard, getting groceries, I never asked anything. I didn't know how to ask. I needed some favor, needed some help, I always quiet my mouth because I didn't know how to speak English, and how to ask people anything.

I want a tutor because I want to learn English, reading and writing. I want to learn English because I'm living here, and I have a problem every day because I'm going somewhere and I need to speak English. If my kid is sick and I visit the Doctor's office, I like to speak correct English, not broken. And my kids, they are now going to school. I want to meet the teacher. So I want to learn English and get better, and talk to each other.

I have learned how to use verbs, tenses, adjectives, and nouns. Before I have problems for speaking, I'm always shy. But I didn't speak English, but now I'm doing well. At work, everyone says, "Veerpal, now you're doing good."  My teacher, she is teaching is good.     

Kate's Story

I got involved with adult literacy because I was inspired by a story about the Literacy Council in the Herald. Since I love to read, I thought this was the spot for me. I quickly learned that I would not necessarily be teaching people to love John Updike, but that I would be helping them to learn skills that would change their lives in other ways.

I love working with Veerpal because she has so much motivation to learn English - she has learned so much in the year we have been working together. When we first began to work together she seemed somewhat shy, but I have learned that this was not her true personality. As she has become better at speaking, she has become much more open and talkative, asking so many good questions that I can't always answer right away! She also brings me Indian food, which is quite delicious.

The experience of working with a variety of different adults with different skill levels and backgrounds has been eye-opening for me. It is an experience that I really value and I look forward to seeing Veerpal flourish, and to working with other adults who want to learn, or improve, their English skills.