ESL Tutor Orientation

1. International Rescue Committee ESL Tutor Orientation

2. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) • IRC Mission • Founded in 1933 by Albert Einstein • Global leader in emergency relief, rehabilitation, protection of human rights, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy • For those uprooted or affected by conflict or oppression • IRC Purpose • Refugee resettlement in the U.S. • Ensuring new arrivals receive shelter, food and clothing • Providing recently arrived refugees with the tools for self sufficiency including • Translation services, English-language instruction, job training, employment services, immigration ,etc. • The goal of resettlement is to enable each refugee to achieve self-sufficiency and to rebuild a new life in freedom.

3. Where we work around the World • Headquarters: New York • Washington DC • London • Brussels • Geneva • Programs: • Afghanistan • Azerbaijan • Burundi • Central African Republic • Chad • Colombia • Democratic Republic of the Congo • Ethiopia • Guinea • Haiti • Indonesia • Iraq Ivory Coast • Jordan • Kenya • Liberia • Myanmar Nepal • Northern Caucasus • Pakistan • Rwanda • Sierra Leone • Somalia • Sudan • Syria • Tanzania • Thailand Uganda • Zimbabwe

4. U.S. Programs

5. A REFUGEE is someone who… • Is outside of his or her country of nationality or habitual residence; • has a well founded fear or persecution because of his or her race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion; • is unable or unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country or to return there for fear of persecution.

6. FAMOUS REFUGEES MADELEINE ALBRIGHT ISABEL ALLENDE MIA SIOUX CHIEF SITTING BULL

7. Major Source Countries of Refugees 2009 Major refugee origin > 500,000 250,000 to 500,000 100,000 to 250,000 10,000 to 100,000 < 10,000 World Refugee Population 2009: 15.2 million Total number of refugees, asylum seekers, and IDP: 42 million

8. Refugee Numbers IRC Silver Spring through September 2010 • 2009 = 454 Afghanistan – 9 Bhutan – 74 Burma – 51 Burundi – 5 Congo/Braz. – 1 DRC – 43 Eritrea – 35 Ethiopia – 22 Iran – 12 Iraq – 153 Liberia – 2 Palestine – 3 Sierra Leone – 4 Somalia – 1 Vietnam – 1 Total - 416

9. Client Demographics Burma, Bhutan, Nepal, Iraq, Iran, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Eritrea… Pre-literate to Fluent Low to High Farmers, store owners, students (non-professional) Professionals: Teachers, nurses doctors, IT specialist, managers Various living situations

10. Refugee Statistics • On average, the US accepts 70,000refugees for permanent resettlement annually • Refugees make up about 10%of the immigration to the US in a typical year • Refugees versus Asylees, SIVs – local numbers

11. What future does a refugee face? Waiting in refugee camps set up by UNHCR and other NGOS Voluntary Repatriation to country of origin Resettlement in 3rd country less than 1% Refugee Status in 2nd country within geographic area

12. Refugee Resettlement Process

13. Suburban Washington Resettlement Center (SWRC) MORA

14. Core Services Provided to Refugees • Safe and affordable housing with basic necessities (i.e. furniture, clothing, supplies) • Airport Reception, first warm meal • Resettlement cash assistance (first 30 days) • Resettlement plan, including employment counseling • Referrals to Health Screening and Refugee Medical Assistance, Social Security • School Registration for kids and ESOL for adults • Employment Assistance • Community and cultural orientation • Transportation orientation

15. Biggest Challenges: • Expectations • Our staff is extremely small • Difficult economic times • Housing • Trauma & Stress • Job hunt • Type of work • Loss • Reality of life in America • Rumor mill • Monthly assistance

16. ESL Tutoring & Language Training Your students will fall into one of four categories • Preliterate • Literacy may not be the cultural norm • May not have developed written expression • Lack of opportunity • Semiliterate • Some schooling, usually reading & writing at or below elementary level • Maybe decline in skills from being gone from their homeland too long (older) • Non-Roman Alphabetic Literate • Literate in a Roman Alphabet

17. What do students need to know??? • Short-term and Long-term Objectives • Job/Workplace • Personal Information • Conversation • Home life • shopping, security, rental agreements, home ownership, health care, entertainment, cultural activities • Rights • Transportation • Banking & Money Management

18. Learning Styles & Methodology • Task-based Approach • Test Teach Test • Communicative Language Teaching (situational) • Presentation, Practice, Production (Engage, Study, Activate) • Four skills areas • Productive • Receptive

19. Expectations Problems Other Tutors Have Faced In The Past • Different Concepts of Time • Importance of Gifts in Some Cultures • Communal Aspect of Other Cultures • Financial Assistance • Respect of Elders • Inappropriate Questions Asked by Refugees Set boundaries & goals Track your progress Report volunteer hours We are here for you Find resources

20. Additional Services for Refugees and Asylees… • Vocational Training • Volunteer Programs • Financial Literacy • Follow-up Medical Appointments • Adjustment of Status • Citizenship • Professional Development

21. Volunteer Activity Log

22. Strategies for Successful Intercultural Communication • Do unto others as they would have done unto them • Ask questions • Offer explanations for typically US behavior • Don’t patronize or condescend • Be aware and respectful of taboos • Be flexible; expect to step outside of your comfort zone • Avoid using American colloquial expressions (like “piece of the puzzle”)

23. Any Questions?