English Lessons in Lynn: Gordon Students Teach The Vocabulary of Opportunity

When Claire Crane became principal of the Robert L. Ford Elementary School in Lynn, Mass. in 1989, it was not a welcoming place. Dysfunctional and disorganized, Crane says neither students nor teachers wanted to be there.

But her vision was for a school where the voices of her students would count – regardless of race, citizenship, color, or creed. Now, 22 years later, 48 different languages are represented in the halls of the Ford School each day. Twice a week, Gordon College students go to Ford to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at its night school program. Crane says nearly 200 adults are enrolled, many of whom came to the U.S. from poor and desolate places throughout the world.

Photo By Gabrielle WItham

“These immigrants have been so repressed in their home countries,” said Crane. “At the Ford School, I believe in educating the whole family and acquainting them to U.S. culture so they understand that they won’t be killed for having a voice.”

Secondary education and Spanish major Ashlie Busone ‘14 recognizes that it’s hard to speak up without speaking the language, and that’s one of the reasons why she chose to become a Gordon IN Lynn intern for the 2011-2012 academic year. One of 12 interns working with 10 community partners this semester, Busone tutors at ESL to help her non-English speaking neighbors. Every week, she brings 15 Gordon students to lead ESL lessons for adults throughout the Ford School’s surrounding community.

“English opens a lot of doors, especially for immigrants who are new to the country,” said Busone. “In these classes, we get to meet new friends from around the world.”

Crane, 73, started the ESL classes in 1990 to reach out to the families of her students. With origins from Haiti, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic to Somalia, Cambodia, Vietnam and Bangladesh, the adults of the night classes form a United Nations of sorts where classes of 40 to 50 immigrants join Gordon tutors to learn English.

Photo By Gabrielle Witham

“The hope is that the parents will not only develop a proficiency in class, but go home and practice with their children,” said Crane. “This translates to improved communication within families, and often children perform better on tests.”

Over the past 20 years, Crane has worked to transform Ford into a “community school,” meaning she partners with volunteers on the North Shore to offer educational and social support to its students, their families, and the surrounding community. Crane says the school’s volunteers organize everything from multicultural potluck dinners and clothing swaps, to the ESL program.

“I wouldn’t be able to run the night school without Gordon students,” said Crane. “When they can’t come, I have to cancel class.”

It’s not always easy for Gordon volunteers, most of whom are freshman without educational teaching backgrounds, to teach English to such a diverse group. Busone says there isn’t a standard lesson structure, and students don’t attend consistently. Crane has also set high goals. She hopes that students will not only learn the language, but use what they’ve learned to exercise their voice in the community.

Because many of the immigrants are in the country illegally, Crane said people in Lynn take advantage of them, knowing they can’t report the injustices. She said thieves target Guatemalan neighborhoods, and landlords on the block where the Ford School is located charge their tenants more for rent than they earn in a month. But she is hoping to help the community change that.

“Many people assume that immigrants don’t care about voting,” she said. “In their home countries they don’t have power, but if we’re going to solve the problems in this city we need to encourage them to participate here.”

Dr. Karl Crisman, 36, is an assistant professor of mathematics at Gordon who has lived with his family in Lynn for six and a half years. Crisman has close friends of Guatemalan, Bosnian, Mexican and Cuban descent, and says he loves living among such diversity. However, he still sees a division that isn’t going away.

“There seem to be two different populations, the white and African American communities of ‘old Lynn’ and the swell of recent immigrants, all of whom are struggling,” he said. “These two groups interact a surprisingly small amount.”

Crisman said that much of ‘old Lynn’ is in an unending cycle of poverty and low educational achievement, while newer immigrant populations have difficulty learning English and engaging with city politics.

Photo By Gabrielle Witham

Though the Ford School doesn’t look special, once inside the peeling blue doors it is clear it’s a refuge. Colorful murals of children’s faces brighten the halls– faces from all races that are mirrored by the real children sitting in the classrooms. Painted above the murals are the words “Welcome to the Ford School. Every voice counts.”

“I don’t ask questions about where anyone came from or whether or not the law tells them they belong,” said Crane. “Everyone is welcome here.”

Night school students Rony and Deborah (last name withheld) are expectant parents who immigrated to the U.S. from Guatemala. They believe they’re giving their unborn daughter chances she may never have had in the family’s native country.

“She won’t have to feel the violence, or be afraid or alone. She’ll have opportunities and an education, and learn things she never could have at home,” said Rony. “Here, I can give her the sky.”