CLASS ACT: English class for senior women inspires learning and friendships.
Students from the Senior Women’s English class at Newcomer Women’s Services.. On Tuesday, you can show your support for this group by donating to our “Power of Five” campaign. Click here to donate.
Imagine moving to a country where you didn’t understand the language, its culture—even the basic greetings. Now, imagine you’re a senior in this new land. You’ve come to be with your family but you don’t have any of your own connections or the opportunity to meet others because, depending upon your age, you’re not trying to find work. It’s an isolating and lonely place to be and it’s a situation that resonates with Norma and Mehroz.
“When I arrived in Canada three years ago, I didn’t know how to speak English,” explains Norma, who moved here from Venezuela. “I couldn’t understand anything. I felt lost in this city and I could never go to any place alone because I was afraid of getting lost and not being able to return home.”
"The first time that I went to school I needed to go with my son because I didn’t even understand the phrase: ‘Where do you live?'"
Norma, Senior English student
It was a similar experience for Mehroz. She moved to Canada from Pakistan in 2013 to join her son. At first, Mehroz says she felt quite depressed—especially because of the weather. “I told my son that I can’t survive here and that I wanted to go back to Pakistan,” she recalls. “Back home I was working. I had a good job. After some long discussions with my son, he suggested I join an organization that helps newcomers, particularly seniors.” After Mehroz took an English proficiency test at the YMCA, they encouraged her to join the seniors’ women-only class at Newcomer Women’s Services.
Norma, Senior English Student
Several years on, how are these two women feeling now? “I can understand almost 80 percent when people have a normal conversation, but I can understand 100 percent when our teachers speak in school,” says Norma, who still attends the weekly program. “Now my life is better because I can go to do many things alone; I can go to the doctor, pharmacy, restaurants, library, and even take courses on crochet. I feel more comfortable to do anything by myself even though I still have a lot to learn. I feel that this school was the best help for my new life in Canada.”
For Mehroz, she says learning English was just one of the positive outcomes to her attending the program. “The seniors’ class taught us a lot more,” she says. “We learned how to open a bank account, how to speak to our doctors and explain our problems to them. We learned about Canada; its laws, geography, history, culture, food and everything else that one needs to know about their country. We got to know about the Indigenous people.”
Besides learning English, Mehroz had another goal—she wanted to return to work. The staff at NEW encouraged her to study at Mothercraft College of Early Childhood Education. “After I received my certificate, they even prepared me for my job interviews,” she adds.
"I landed my first job in Canada with their help. Newcomer Women’s Services—its teachers and staff—are the reason for my success in my new life."
MEHROZ, Senior English Student
Norma still attends the class and she says that in addition to learning English, it’s a place where she’s met new friends. “I love my school because we enjoy our time together,” she explains. “We can share our family problems with our wonderful classmates. We feel happy because we take care of each other. We help one another during grammar practice, at lunch we talk about our different cooking styles or try a little of our classmates’ food. We even exercise to keep our bodies fit. It’s a special time for us; it’s something we would hardly do at home. Above all, we laugh every day together.”
Teacher Dhurata Sinani
The students aren’t the only ones inspired by the program. Dhurata Sinani has been teaching English for more than 11 years at Newcomer Women’s Services. While she teaches all levels and ages, she has a particular fondness for the seniors’ class.
“Historically, the seniors’ group has been an intellectual class because most of the students are university graduates who had very good jobs in their countries,” explains Dhurata. “At least two or three of them lectured at universities in their countries.”
"This class is a perfect example of lifelong learning and its benefits.”
TEACHER DHURATA SINANI
In addition to learning English, one of the other key benefits to the program is the connections they make with other women. “New students are always welcomed and quickly they feel that they belong to a big family,” says Dhurata. “They exchange their life stories and socialize not only in the class, but they do things together away from school. They visit each other, go swimming or meet up for coffee or to go shopping. The way they organize themselves and support one another is amazing and very special.”
The women who are currently in the program come from China, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Liberia, Venezuela and Colombia. To attend the classes, which run year-round from Monday to Friday, a woman must have a Permanent Resident Card, an English skill level between 2-5 and be 55+. The LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) program is ongoing—so they can attend the class until they reach the highest benchmarks the program offers.
It’s their desire to learn that inspires Dhurata. “I am happy to interact with such mature people and learn from them every day,” she says. “Senior students have an intellectual wealth and wisdom that comes from having had interesting life experiences that cannot be found among young generations no matter how technologically advanced they might be. Speaking of technology, my ladies got used to online learning very fast during COVID-19. What I find amazing is their enthusiasm and zest for life. Zest is the secret to their beauty and that’s why we call them the class of BEAUTIFUL LADIES.”
SAVE THE DATE
Tuesday, May 5 has been declared #GivingTuesdayNow in response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. We’re inviting you to join us and support our “Power of Five” campaign. Our goal is to raise $5,000 to buy new laptops and tablets to ensure our senior English students stay connected to us and to each other during this difficult time. Whether you gift $5, $50 or $500, you’ll have a huge impact in these women’s lives. Your contribution sends a strong message of care and support to a vulnerable and isolated community, by making sure they have what they need to stay healthy and connected. #GivingTuesdayNow Click here to make a donation now.
The students received a special “music postcard” from Italy. Eva—Dhurata’s cousin—played Moonlight Sonata. “Music makes us renunite, dream, forget and reflect.
"I thank Dhurata, your teacher, who always talks about you, who adores you, Long live Canada. Long Live Italy. Long live all the world.”
Eva, pianist