PHOTO BY MEGAN TIEU Sheltered English instruction (SEI) students listen attentively as English teacher Robert Huynh lists the places that they can find help around campus on Jan. 21. In the future, they will be provided guidance on extracurriculars, the A-G requirements, and how to interact with others.
SEI Newcomer Academy provides resources to English learners
0
0
Spearheaded by English teachers Elizabeth Proud and Robert Huynh, the Sheltered English Instruction Newcomer Academy (SEI) initially stemmed from a similar program created by Mark Keppel High School Mandarin teacher Brendan Brown. The goal is to ensure that SEI students feel accepted due to the lack of resources on campus that were offering guidance.
“We decided to collaborate and do something similar at San Gabriel,” Proud said. “The program was already approved at one site [in the district], so we were able to follow their lead.”
The SEI Newcomer Academy will occur in 9-week cycles with a structured curriculum several times a year. The root of the program is Huynh and Proud being able to empathize with the SEI students’ difficulties of learning a new language. They hope that more students will join in the future and utilize the resources that the SEI Newcomer Academy provides.
“I just imagine being a student and coming to a different country, not knowing anybody and not knowing the campus very well,” Huynh said. “I, personally, would feel lost and would like someone to reach out to me.”
The targeted demographic was students from the SEI ½ course, but all students are welcome to join. With the support of Principal Debbie Stone and Amy Wu, Assistant Principal of Student and Employee Welfare, the program was ready to begin its first test run on Jan. 13. Approximately 29 students and 6-8 parents of the SEI newcomers arrived—a turnout that pleasantly surprised Huynh.
“Actually some of the parents said that they wanted to stay, because they felt very welcomed in our first meeting,” Huynh said. “But the focus was not on the parents. In the future, I think that would be an important part as well as to involve the parents.”
Specifically, the program will provide newcomers with guidance on where and how to gather information about classes, planning for college, joining clubs, and interacting with others on conversations with the newcomers to ensure their future success, regardless of the language barriers.
“We know when students are more involved in their school, they are more successful, motivated, and ultimately happier,” Proud said. “Whatever the needs are, we are hoping to create an avenue for them to come to us when they need some assistance.”
Huynh and Proud have asked teacher Stanley Li, the Karebear club adviser, to arrange for student volunteers from the same club to come during the third week. They will help newcomers learn about a club on campus and introduce themselves to a potential friend.
“I learn [a lot] of English and I can make more friends,” Freshman Qihan Li said. “We often talk with friends and share [what makes us] happy.”
The root of the program is Huynh and Proud being able to empathize with the SEI students’ difficulties of learning a new language. They hope that more students will join in the future and utilize the resources that the SEI Newcomer Academy provides.
“It’s much harder for a new student to get involved, especially one still learning English,” Proud said. “We know when students are more involved in their school, they are more successful, motivated, and ultimately happier. That’s something very important to us.”
Students who are interested can come to P-106 after school, where meetings are held every Monday and Tuesday by Huynh and Proud.
