New Country, New Challenges, New Insights: The Humanities Make a Difference in Dover

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By Barbara Visciano

“This class, Life in America, helps me to better navigate society and the economic, cultural, and political life of the U.S.A. The course helps me improve my English.”

This student is referring to a class I teach at the Dover Adult Learning Center. During the 2024-2025 school year, a Community Project Grant from New Hampshire Humanities (NHH) funded our Life in America class. Gathering on Wednesday mornings, this reading and discussion class focused on helping intermediate and advanced English language learners improve their English skills while learning about the history and form of government in the United States. Lesson topics included U.S. geography, community involvement, environmental concerns, holiday traditions, and current events, with an emphasis on helping students assimilate to life in the U.S. One student reflected on his/her experience in the class, “It has been very helpful as I recently arrived in the U.S. It gave me the chance to know about the American people and the community, and that helped me adapt quickly.” Students who attended were from countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, Central America, and South America.

The Community Project Grant also funded educational support for students seeking U.S. citizenship. I met with students individually to help them prepare for their important naturalization interviews. In these lessons, students learned important aspects of U.S. democracy and history. They came to understand the rights and responsibilities of being an involved citizen. It was inspiring to see the effort that each of these students made in order to achieve their aspiration to become a U.S. citizen. I sit in awe of their commitment and celebrate each one as they realize their dream and add to the fabric of life in this country.

Students also participated in NHH’s Connections program to further support the goals of our Life in America class. With Connections facilitator Bill Badgley, students read and discussed four picture books about the experiences of immigrants coming to the U.S. from different parts of the world at different periods of time. The books were When Jesse Came  Across the Sea by Amy Hest, Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say, Dreamers by Yuyi Morales,  and Auntie Luce’s Talking Paintings by Francie Latour.

Bill’s objectives in teaching with these books were twofold. He shares, “As a class community, we considered the historical facts of immigration in general, followed by a closer look at immigration of specific groups. Perhaps more importantly, we explored the implicit text questions that invited students to make meaningful connections to their own cultural and personal immigration experience.” Using Connections literature not only allowed participants to learn valuable aspects of U.S. history, but it also provided a medium to share their own immigration stories and experiences.

Comments from students during the discussions were poignant and telling of the universal experience of being an immigrant in a new country. One student said, “I try to teach my child my native language, but he just wants to speak in English.” Many students nodded at the sentence in Grandfather’s Journey spoken by a character who visited his native country, “The moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other.” All students reported that the Connections program helped with their reading, listening, and speaking skills. More than anything, they really valued the discussions and the opportunity to bring the books home to share with their families. “We are not just going home with this book, but with a new perception,” said one participant. What better testament to the power of the combination of a good teacher and a good book?

There is no doubt in my mind that the generous support of New Hampshire Humanities in funding these programs enriched all who participated. I will end with a student comment which sums up the sentiment of many students, “These classes virtually act as a bridge to connect the lives of new immigrants with the rest of the large community. My deepest gratitude to all the teachers and each and everybody behind this program.”

Thank you, New Hampshire Humanities, for showing the role that the humanities can play in helping people understand themselves, weave into and strengthen the cultural fabric of our society, and ultimately support life in America.

 

For more information about Connections book discussion program, please visit www.nhhumanities.org/Connections. 

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