Letters from Rio Salado's English Classes: February 05

I arrive to the SALC last July, 2004. After the registration and the test to find out what I know, I was part of my teacher’s classroom. The students that I find there were friendly people, very open to other new students and kind. I discovered that many of them were from Mexico and many other different countries: Russia, Czech Republic, Kasajstan, Thailand, Korea, Columbia, etc. I’m from Argentina, and in time, we got another Argentinean student.
 But necessarily, the language needs to be English. This was the biggest challenge to me, and I suspect that for the other students too. Only in the break time did we have freedom to speak Spanish. This was very hard to handle. The teacher find all the ways to introduce one to each other, the ways to let me feel comfortable as part of the group and find exactly the best studying atmosphere. Now I find that I am more and more secure with my second language. SALC helps me bring up the English and gives me awesome friends and teachers.

Geraldine

My name is Adriana, and I have a very good experience with this school because when I first started, my teacher asked a lot of questions and I acted like I knew what she was saying. After that, she learned that Adriana didn’t know what she was saying, and she decided to start working more with me, and she did a good job.
While I keep going level by level, every teacher was doing a good job. Finally, at work, I got a promotion because my English was better than before. Then I start having more friends. I wasn’t scared about asking something at the store. Before I was too scared because every person I ask for an answer I didn’t understand what they were saying. That was terrible. I spend all my time and couldn’t get what I want.
 Now every place it go, I’m not scared about asking anything. I have learned that you never have to be scared because it always helps if you ask and you will learn more and more.
 For a while, I keep helping other people who don’t speak any English, and they ask me where did you learn English. Well, I tell them I went to SALC school and am still going so I can be successful. 
I just want to say thank you for everything you all have done with me because I couldn’t do it without you all. Please keep helping as I really appreciate it. Thank you very much.

 Adriana

I have been living in this country for three years. By this time, I have been coming school 11 months. Before beginning going to school, I got some objectives in this country. One of these objectives is to learn English. Because speaking English, I could communicate with people, and I could get a better job.
Another objective is to get a GED because I think that way I could learn more about English and other subjects. If I could go to Community College, of course, I will.
During this time of coming to school, I have learned a lot of grammar and spelling. I practiced my writing and speaking, but I many things yet to learn.
Now I am more confident in my work. I talk with my co-workers and managers. I got a raise. This time in school helped me forget those days I felt afraid when I walked in the street and somebody asked me something, and I don’t understand. 

Felipe

I like coming to this school because I want to learn to speak English and get a better job, then go to college. Also, I can communicate with other people who speak English. Since I started to study English in this school, it’s been very helpful for me because I’m learning many things. I would like to have more opportunities to study and help other people who don’t speak English. I hope you can still help us to learn to speak English.

 Salvador

I’m living in Arizona. It’s in the U.S.A. Here the principal language is English, and if I live here I need to learn English because everybody needs to contact and speak with the other guys. So in just a few words, to speak, talk read, and write in English is so important.
Today I am here, and I’m thankful with this school because Rio Salado helps me so much, the teacher, the people, everybody here. I have new friends. In my job, I can talk with everybody. I understand a lot of words, but I’m trying to learn more.
In my first days, I couldn’t understand and that was so bad because I like to speak, but I said, “In the future, I will speak English.”  Now look at me. I am writing these lines.
The U.S. has good people. If you need help, only ask, and somebody there will give a hand.

Daniel