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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday February 21, 2009 - 3 `We do a million different things here' Thomas Merton Adult Learning Centre helps students turn their lives around By Tanya Kostiw OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF P rincipal John Quinlan walks into a classroom and asks what the students are learning. The class erupts in laughter. Teacher Patricia McCabe says they are having a grammar lesson. "English grammar is so difficult," says Quinlan. The chatter in the class suggests they would agree. "I can't even understand it," he jokes. The class erupts in laughter again. The laughter is not that of rebellious teenagers mocking their elders, but of students eager to learn. The class is one of many English as a Second Language (ESL) and Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) classes at the Thomas Merton Adult Learning Centre. "We do a million different things here," says Quinlan. Run by the Halton Catholic District School Board, the centre offers a wide range of programs from an adult high school, ESL/LINC courses, international languages classes, and literacy and basic skills for special needs adults. The adult high school credit courses are for anyone who hasn't completed their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Quinlan calls many of their students "refugees from a traditional school system," adding they might have had problems with attendance, lateness or discipline. "We basically run three semesters in one," says Quinlan. "We teach the kids just like you would in a normal school, except everything is really accelerated." Students can earn a credit in six weeks by attending a three-and-a-half hour class daily. If they take a class both in the morning and the afternoon, they can earn two credits in six weeks. It's rewarding for the students because they can earn credits quickly, says guidance counselor Irene Visser. "They can see a light at the end of the tunnel." "It helps them to turn their lives around," says teacher Laura Kendry. It did for Sara Bernard, who now studies media at Sheridan College. At the age of 19 when she wasn't accepted back into the regular school system, she came to the adult learning centre. "I was tired of not being a high school grad- NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER ASK THE TEACHER: Anne-Marie Stevenson reviews some work with student Nahid Sabery, 40, in her Grade 12 English class at Thomas Merton Adult Learning Centre. Also pictured Kirsten Leger, 22, (left) and Gifty Kpodo, 36. uate," she says. "If there wasn't a school like this, I don't think I would have been able to go back to high school. I wouldn't have been able to graduate." Bernard says her experience at the school was incredible. The former vice principal would call her in the morning to make sure she was there, while Visser helped her apply and get into college. Bernard credits teacher Anne Marie Stevenson as the reason she graduated. "There are so many people here who will do anything for you. They will bend over backwards." Chanelle Hanlan-Hudson is working toward her high school diploma. She just completed Grade 11 English and is now taking a sociology class. She also feels the teachers are very supportive. Hanlan-Hudson enjoyed the co-operative education opportunity available to students. She worked as a teaching assistant in one of the ESL classes, which inspired her to become an ESL teacher. Her only problem with the school is that the cafeteria doesn't serve French fries. But Pauline Beale who works in the cafeteria says they strive to offer only healthy choices. Nahid Sabery is also working to complete her high school diploma. As a single mother of three, who immigrated to Canada seven years ago, she realized that she needed an education if she wanted a better life. "I am so happy that I'm doing this," she says. "I am a role model for my youngest son." Sabery would not change anything about the school if she could. "Everything is perfect. People are wonderful here," she says. "They are," agreed Bernard. "We just need French fries," says HalanHudson jokingly. "And debit," someone chimes in, because the school doesn't have an Interac machine. "I should do a McDonald's run," says Quinlan as everyone laughs. Sabery says she has never forgotten her first day of school when Visser was waiting to show her around and introduce her to everyone. She was taking ESL classes because she could not speak English when she first emigrated from Iran. Today, Sabery is taking a Grade 12 English class and is planning to study Early Childhood Education at Sheridan College. "It is very hard when English is your second language," she says. Down the hall in Victoria Dennis' ESL/LINC level 3 class, students are giving brief presentations. They must choose a topic at random and speak on the subject for a few minutes. A student comes to the front of the classroom and chooses a slip of paper. "How did your mother and father meet?" he reads. He thinks for a moment. Students giggle. "They work together," he says. "They worked together," Dennis corrects him. With help from another student who presumably speaks his native language, he explained that his parents worked at a railway station. Dennis asks the students if they have heard of the expression love at first sight and what it means. A student answers, "This is the person with who," she pauses to correct herself and laughs, "with whom we want to live together in the future." A few doors down, Adwina Hanley is teaching ESL Computers, where students study the Internet and e-mail. Today they are learning about Skype, a free downloadable program that enables users to make video calls online. "They can contact their family (from all) parts of the world ... without running up enormous phone bills," says Hanley. She says students who are preparing to enter the workforce take her class. "(We) try and give them the skills they need in order to go on and make a nice, easy transition into Canadian workforce." The ESL/LINC programs are for people "from 18 to ancient," says Quinlan. He estimates one of their ESL students to be in his late 80s or early 90s. "It's like a legend here, this man," Quinlan says. "He comes in, salutes the flag, crosses himself in front of the papal flag and he goes to his ESL classes." The Thomas Merton Learning Centre has 13 regular teachers who work to keep students motivated, Quinlan says. "It's all about success. That's really our focus ... meeting the students where they are and helping them to achieve success." The Thomas Merton Adult Learning Centre is located at 171 Speers, Rd. Unit 1. SHUTTERS Shop at Home Service CALIFORNIA & PLANTATION FREE SHUTTERS ETC.