Trent Ruble's Blog: The Other Way It Is - Posts Tagged "exchange-student"

My wife, Tami, is a first-grade teacher and tells me that it is in first grade when most children learn to read. Even though the kids arriving in her class each August speak English fairly well, it is in learning to read and write that their linguistic shortcomings are exposed. And, she tells me, these shortcomings are the same ones many new immigrants and visitors deal with upon arriving in America.



Our family has observed these shortcomings first-hand as we've hosted six international exchange students from all over the globe. These experiences have been sometimes difficult but overwhelmingly delightful. One of the most enjoyable aspects of hosting is watching the students struggle with the English language. It's not so much that I enjoy seeing them struggle as it is that I enjoy seeing them learn. English is difficult to be sure. Miss Ann Haecker was my high school English teacher at Pagan High where she and I suffered through my sophomore year. If she remembers me at all, she will tell you that I had my share of struggles. In fact, she would be shocked to hear me say that I love the language. But, I do love the language and enjoy helping the exchange students with all its intricacies and nuances.

The exchange students come to America for a variety of reasons, but one of the primary reasons is to improve their English. Our students have always been successful in this and are usually fluent by Thanksgiving. By the time they go home, they speak English well enough to succeed at whatever it is they want to do in life. And, as a bonus, they, and we, will have developed new life long friends.

If you think you would like more culture in your family's life but don't have the time or money to travel, consider international exchange. For more information, contact EF, which is the organization we used, or one of the many other organizations who provide this service. Most of them can be found online. I recommend it.