Toni on English Conversation Club

I asked each of the mentors to write about a club. Toni wrote about English Conversation Club, which was one of our very first clubs:














My name is Toni, and I lead our English Conversation Club at Project Bridging Cultures. Meetings take place once each week during two lunch periods. I try to provide an informal, yet structured and supportive, atmosphere where students can practice what they know (as they feel comfortable), and learn something new from myself or anyone in our diverse community. Our discussions are centered on the monthly themes we have planned for our room.

Facilitating this conversation group has been a privilege. Not only is it a great opportunity for me to better know and care for our students, but those students also get to create new connections with each other. Some are more confident than others when it comes to making friendships outside of their own culture. This group is a safe way for those who are more reserved to “stick their toes into the water” and learn not just about new vocabulary, but about humanity. One small tradition I use to begin each session is to have a makeshift “Welcome Mat” on the wicker coffee table we gather around. Each student takes a colored marker and writes their name on a card. Then, one by one, each person introduces himself to the group (“Hi, my name is Toni”) and sets his name on the Welcome Mat. In response, the group welcomes the person who made the introduction (“Welcome, Toni” or “Hello, Toni”). This way, people who are not acquainted can become so, and each participant is intentionally made part of the community.

At the end of September, we kicked off our clubs and workshops with the theme of education (of course!). A handful of students representing many countries (China, Mexico, Vietnam, Albania) joined me for a game involving our names, questions, and a ball. Each student took a turn choosing a question for the group to answer. I was delighted by the honest and thoughtful way the students contributed. A few questions and responses are imbedded in my mind; What is the most important thing to learn in school? (“sex education,” “English,” and “not to be shy” are the short versions), and Have you ever cheated on a test? (riotous, guilty laughter followed by eager confessions) are two of my favorites. October has brought us to the theme of families. In the last few weeks we have had games of family connections (Who is your mother’s son’s daughter?), partner interviews about family, home countries, and everyday life (I had so much fun giggling with students from Mali and China!), and a session focused on our childhoods (students from Mali, Mexico, Vietnam, and Albania shared their “mischievous moments” - one laughed about hiding the dishes from his mother when she tried to set the table! Another student described early memories of more solemn times.). November’s theme will be Government and Society, and I look forward to learning even more from our amazing students.