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STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Edith & Esperanza Custom Class
October - November 2008 “I’m Edith, I’m 32 years old and I’m from Guadalajara, Mexico. I arrive in Nashville last year because my husband transferred by his company. I need to meet people and have more contact with my daughter’s teacher so I’m learning English. If I speak English well I will have more friends here and I will resolve situations without my husband’s help. I found in TFLI the best path for learning English. My teacher help me to trust in my grammar, speaking and pronunciation. I’m no longer afraid to talk in English with people. I have seen advances in me. I would like to continue to learn English because it’s necessary for my life to be successful in the U.S.” “I’m Esperanza, I’m from Guadalajara, Mexico. I need the English for my job, because if you speak English you will have a good opportunity at work. This year my life gave me an opportunity to study English at TFLI, and I found the people very friendly and excellent teachers that helped me speak better and feel confident when I speak English with others. Now, the important thing for me is to practice speaking English with others. I never forget, “there are many ways to say the same thing”; this phrase helped me to speak English. Nashville is a beautiful city and I hope to come back soon. Many thanks to all!” 
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Ruth Winter Superior Class
August - September 2008 "I moved to the United States in 2006. I spoke a little English, but I found the TFLI, and I started my English classes in September 2006. I'm sure that I made a very good decision because now I can talk to everybody. I can work any place and I can make more friends. On May 13, 2008, we had a baby and my husband and I decided to teach him both languages, English and Spanish. That way he can have more opportunities. If you are interested in English classes, do not wait anymore, the TFLI is the best way to learn. The institute has good teachers. My teacher is Carrie. She's so patient and very nice." Ruth and her baby
CLASS OF THE MONTH
Progreso Community Center Intro Class
June - July 2008 TFLI’s ESL Director Angela Harris partnered with Progreso Community Center’s Director Juan Canedo to provide literacy and ESL classes to at least 40 Hispanic immigrants who are not currently being served under existing language programs. Those to be served under the proposal include members of Progreso Community Center (PCC) as well as those interested learners from the community. TFLI and PCC have already tested over 40 interested members. The classes are being taught by certified ESL teachers trained by professionals in TFLI’s TESL Certification course. “The collaboration between TFLI and PCC to teach English with the support of Dollar General Literacy Foundation demonstrates that this community-based effort is a concrete example of the commitment that Hispanic immigrants have to learn English,” Canedo said. Both Harris and Canedo said they are exceptionally grateful to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation for providing this opportunity. An Intro Class Taught by Lisa Williams
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Maria Diehl
April- May 2008 Maria and her teacher, Nancy ‘Little Maria’ is an absolute joy to teach. She was born in Guatemala and adopted by US parents only a few months ago. Maria came to TFLI for ESL lessons one week prior to her 5th birthday. She had very little understanding of English and all of her spoken words were in Spanish for the first couple weeks of class. She now enjoys trying her hand at English, especially when telling about her older brother Noah and her younger brother Isaac. Another favorite topic of conversation is Cinderella, her favorite ‘princess’. She’s such a smart little girl and brings pure light into TFLI each morning she arrives for class. She puts smiles on the faces of everyone in the office.
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Hamdija Odzakovic
February- March 2008  Hamdija and his family came to the United States from Sarajevo in 1998. He has a daughter who is currently at Belmont University. Hamdija works in the Materials Management Department at Centennial Medical Center as a stock clerk. In the past, he worked with livestock and trained horses. According to his co-workers, friends, peers, and teachers, he is a true humble gentleman. His hard-working nature inspires all those around him. Using his newly founded English skills, he is sharing his enthusiasm and his stories with others. Despite his hardships in Sarajevo, he continues to be an energetic worker and a dedicated student.
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Omar Gashaan
December-January 2008
Omar Gashaan is originally from Somalia. After living in a refugee camp in Kenya for 14 years, Omar moved to the United States in 2004. He currently works for Enterprise, but wants to become a taxi driver. Aside from his work and English classes, he spends his time with his four children and wife. He also loves reading. Omar works very hard on his homework. He comes to class prepared and participates freely. He is taking English classes three days a week at TFLI and the Somali Community Center. He is very easy-going and adds humor to the lessons. Omar is a delight to have in class. For a person who has seen so much turmoil in his lifetime—he is a kind soul.
ESL CLASS OF THE MONTH October-November 2007
Left to right: Regina, Mary, Bonnie, Nkuma & William
Students learning English at the Sudanese Community Center of Nashville pose with one of their TESL Practice Teachers. Students have been learning together for one year with the teachers of TFLI — their focus is workplace English. The primary purpose of this organization is to help refugees and immigrants who have been resettled in Tennessee. Assistance is provided with the transition from their culture into American life, helping them to live, to work, and to support their families. Services are offered to the 8,000 Sudanese refugees and immigrants in Nashville and surrounding areas as well as to refugees and immigrants from other African and Middle Eastern countries. If you would like to volunteer or donate to the Sudanese Center, please contact Gatluak Ter Thach, Executive Director, gatluakt@yahoo.com or visit www.sudanesecenter.org.
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ESL CLASS OF THE MONTH |
August - September 2007 
A group of students, ages 9 to 15 years old, from the International Travel for High Achieving Students program from Taichung, Taiwan is visiting Nashville and taking English as a Second Language classes at the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute. The 3-week trip is a learning vacation for the students, who will also visit the Nashville Zoo, the Adventure Science Museum, the Opryland Hotel and the Wave Pool, among other sites. The students are very excited about learning English and about learning more about Nashville and the United States. They all belong to the same star chess education organization in Taiwan, which uses a newly patented strategic board game to teach mathematics, strategic thinking and letters. The game is circular-shaped and is based on the ancient I-Ching philosophy, which promotes harmony. |
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