[ALBSA-Info] An Albanian Young Student in Need

[Agron Alibali]

  From Denis Kalenja <denis_kalenja at yahoo.com> wrote: 

> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 22:01:58 EST
> From: MARTINGRITS at aol.com
> Subject: Need Suggestions and Assistance for an
> Albanian student
> 
> Hello,
> I teach 8th grade Social Studies in Montgomery,
> New York (Orange
> County), located about l-2 hours northwest of New
> York City. Our Middle
> School has a newly enrolled Albanian student. He is
> 13 years old and unable
> to write the English alphabet accurately. He is a
> likeable, respectful young
> man, who watches very closely as I teach the
> lessons, but is unable to
> understand what I am saying. He is unable to read
> any of the 8th grade
> textbooks he has been given. His days are filled
> with discouragement and no
> successes. He lives with his father, who speaks no
> English, and with his
> uncle, who speaks limited English and works 6 nights
> weekly. Therefore,
> there is no family member who can teach this student
> how to read and write
> English. I have asked my school's administrative
> district office if they
> will hire someone (perhaps a retired elementary
> school teacher) to teach this
> student the basics of our language and help him
> learn to read and write. The
> boy is very motivated to learn. Our district says
> there is not funding
> available for this need. Thus the young man sits,
> frustrated and frequently
> embarrassed, often discouraged that he doesn't
> really understand what is
> going on. Some of the teacher have given him a
> failing grade. I have kept
> him in an ungraded status as I know his barrier is
> solely the English
> language. When quiz or test papers are given out, 
> he writes answers in
> Albanian, which, of course, I cannot read. 
> Occasionally, I sit with him and
> show him simple objects, i.e. cup, pen, paper, dime.
> I say the word then
> write it on paper and ask him to write the word 3
> times. He has been very
> proud to have someone spend a little time and has
> responded enthusiastically.
> He is eager for someone to take time/make time/
> find someone somewhere?????
> to meet with him and teach him English. My Middle
> School Principal has given
> permission for this student to be taken out of his
> classes in school if I can
> find someone who will
> sit and help the student. I asked the Uncle if
> there is anyone they know who
> would help? There is not. I called the Newburgh,
> New York Literacy Council.
> They replied that they only assist individuals age
> 18 and over. I called
> St. Mary's College, in our area, but have been
> unsuccessful in my attempts to
> find someone who will help this
> boy learn to read and write. Do you have any
> suggestions, names, or contacts
> to assist me? The boy knows I am looking for
> someone to come into the school
> and teach him English. He is well liked by other
> students, as he is a very
> pleasant young man. But I have seen him so
> frustrated that he has cried in
> class. My heart goes out for his needs. Can you
> help??
> 
> Hopeful of
> Someone Somewhere!
> Ms. Heather
> Martin
> E-Mail:
> MARTINGRITS at AOL.com
> 
> ***Alb-Club***
> ____________________________________________________
> Alb-Club mailing list: Alb-Club at alb-net.com
> http://www.alb-net.com/mailman/listinfo/alb-club


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