Wayne Y Helps Syrian Refugees Learn English

WAYNE, NJ — Liza Abdullah fled Syria with her sons, a baby and a preschooler, soon after a civil war erupted in 2011.

In February they, along with four other families, arrived in the United States after jumping from Jordan and living in Turkey for three years.

"I just want a future for my sons," said Abdullah, one of 22 Syrians who comes to the Wayne YMCA three times a week to learn English.

The Wayne YMCA and North Jersey Interfaith Cares teamed up with Global Emergency Response and Assistance, an organization that advocates for refugees, to offer English as a Second Language classes for Arabic speakers.

"The goal is to build their capacity to become members of their community," said Wayne Y Executive Director Laura Tiedge. "It's one small thing, but I hope it makes a big impact."

Students start out slow. They are taught the English alphabet, basic words, the days of the week, how to form simple sentences and how to introduce themselves.

Heba AbouBakr leads the classes and teaches in Arabic, the attendees' native language.

"Our curriculum has been designed to meet the practical needs of the students. That is what is so unique about this program — we don't follow a 'one-size-fits-all approach,' but rather recognize that the students coming in all have different skills, abilities, and long-term goals," AbouBakr said. "We are seeing great strides in their learning and are continuing to modify the curriculum based on their needs as we move forward."

Rawia Daghestani struggled to explain to someone how she came to the United States seven months ago. After working with AbouBakr, she was able to describe how she was reunited with her family, who had been admitted four years earlier.

"The goal is to build their capacity to become members of their community. It's one small thing, but I hope it makes a big impact." — Wayne Y Executive Director Laura Tiedge.

The only English Daghestani knew growing up was what she picked up watching American movies and television shows.

"It's very good here. I've learned a lot," Daghestani said of the program. She plans to teach at a preschool. She taught elementary school in Syria.

"This program is one-on-one," Daghestani said. "I need to speak. I need to read. Here I get to practice."

The class provides refugees not just a place to learn English, but a safe environment to meet new people.

"It's wonderful to be able to provide that safe haven," Tiedge said.

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Photo: Heba AbouBakr works with a student at an English as a Second Language class at the Wayne YMCA/Courtesy of the YMCA