linda_tutoring wk4

Friday I met with Katherine at the library. She brought her revised paper from our previous session. I was so delighted to see her improvements. Maybe she is learning from me, a sigh of relief! Today we went over her paper for round two of revisions. Much less to correct, but still noticing mistakes on using incorrect articles and pronouns. I had brought with me a couple of exercises on both. One was a fill in the blank on choosing the appropriate article for the sentence. The second was a multiple choice for selecting the correct pronouns. She did not have time to work on it during our session, but said she would go home and work on it and bring it to our next meeting. Bummer, I really wanted to work on it together.

Saturday I bumped into Katherine at a fundraising party for Haiti. Turns out we have a mutual friend! My mom's best friend, who was my piano teacher, goes to the same church as Katherine. I guess that's what happens in a small town like Tally. You can't go anywhere without seeing someone you know. Our mutual friend told me that Katherine has been involved with an English tutoring program at their church for a very long time. So interesting to find this out. So she's been actively learning and practicing English, yet still struggles so much. And is now seeking additional help with grammar and writing for her Master's classes. Wow, over twenty years, so many classes and tutors, and obstacles still face her with the language. I wonder how does she feel with her struggles? Does it frustrate her? Does she feel like a foreigner even though she is an American? I think Katherine is a wonderful example of how learning a language is something that can take a lifetime. Everyone really does learn at their own pace.