Dear Editor,
Re: “ESL wait list set to grow,” News, March 16.
It has come to my attention that many of our recent arrivals are awaiting English lessons and the waiting list is increasing.
I also am very well aware that many trained and qualified teachers (retired, part-time, casual) are eager and ready to volunteer but have been turned away.
There is something flawed in this system! I realize that there is a process in place, but it is too slow.
Is there a reason that qualified teachers could not volunteer with English sessions for individual families while they are waiting for the formal classes to begin?
I realize that the teacher must have qualifications and police checks. That’s easy! These refugees need people to help them in a casual, but informative way.
I am delighted to be working informally with a Syrian family through a church contact.
We talk and laugh and learn together.
I help them with what they need to know, not in a formal way.
I am a qualified, retired teacher who has also done consulting work. Three of my friends, retired teachers, also volunteer with recent arrivals. If laymen can facilitate this help, surely a large experienced organization can do so.
I sincerely believe that volunteers with a teaching background can fill this ever-widening gap as the organizations are becoming overwhelmed and need help.
Refugees need qualified volunteers, not just from a learning standpoint, but also as a way of meeting Canadians.
L.P Ritchie
Richmond
