English For Action

Group discussion with Tony about the culture and Providence’s ethnicity, population, education, and social structure has helped me to understand the diversity of this city. English for Action is currently located at one of the elementary school in Olneyville. It was purposely placed in Onleyville to serve the concentrated population of Latino immigrant families. It is English for Action’s goal to provide a language center which program methods are using visual arts, theater of the oppressed, and action projects to engage adults and younger learners in dialogue, reflection and collaboration. I have been helping out in childcare program, Ourschool. While adults learn English, their kids, about thirty children, are gathered in a classroom, overseen by a few supervisors to help them with their homework or have some interactive actives with student’s age from five to twelve. It has been interesting to see kid’s interacting among themselves; some older kid will look after a younger one as if the younger child is his or her sibling. Additionally, it is both positive and negative to have such a diverse age group. It is interesting to see variety of preferences, skills, and understanding of each age group; however, at the same time, it is hard to coordinate the activities that all age will enjoy. Overall, EFA community is very optimistic, full of positive energies which creates inspiring atmosphere to learn for learners, fun place for teachers to teach and good-intentioned volunteers to help out. It is surprising to see them sustaining their key value of creating a community and creating leaders who can help the one’s who are in need. EFA have been going through some huge adjustments but the reason why it still manages to exist is because of these strong positive beliefs and their goal of good cause.