Second language is first priority for volunteer

Published 10:42 pm Wednesday, May 13, 2009

When she first came to the United States in 1983, Nora Wolford could not speak English. She was from a family of 11 children and had come from Mexico to join her sister.

“I knew French, but that didn’t help me,” Wolford said.

Wolford struggled to learn English and eventually secured a job as a secretary at the University of Washington. After 13 years, she was laid off. Wolford felt alone and isolated. It was then that she realized she could help others and herself by volunteering her time to teach English.

Wolford, of Everett, is now celebrating 10 years of teaching English as a second language to Spanish-speaking people throughout Snohomish County. After a decade of volunteering — logging 1,612 hours of her time for others — Wolford continues to teach four hours every Saturday in Everett and will soon provide the same service to seniors.

“Seniors, believe it or not, are more encouraged to learn English,” Wolford said.

Wolford began her volunteer teaching in a Lynnwood church. A friend introduced her to a pastor, who cleared a small storage room for lessons.

“I do believe that God guided me,” Wolford said.

She began teaching adults the alphabet and children’s songs. In turn, those adults could sing to their children and go through the alphabet with them in English.

“There was one single mother who felt frustrated and isolated and would sing to her son,” Wolford said.

When her classes became too large for the storage room, Wolford looked for another venue. Throughout her 10 years she has taught 106 students. Her classes have grown to sometimes having 22 students a week and have expanded from two to four hours a week — the first two hours for beginners, the next two for advanced learners.

“Sometimes beginners don’t want to leave,” Wolford said. “They stay for four hours.”

Wolford’s courses last as long as the student needs to be there. She teaches American expressions and spelling, as well as speaking and reading.

Wolford’s method helped Elizabeth Lopez of Everett when she joined the class in 2001. Lopez was 46 and newly immigrated from Chile. She needed to learn English.

“Every week I went three hours on Saturdays,” Lopez said. “I learned little by little.”

Lopez studied with Wolford for five years while she worked.

“Oh, it’s very good because she speaks Spanish, and it’s easy for us because when I don’t understand something I can ask in Spanish,” Lopez said.

Lopez appreciates how dedicated Wolford is and takes her relationship with students beyond the ESL classes.

“She is more than a teacher,” Lopez said. “She helps outside of the classroom.”

Students can call Wolford for advice on where to go for help, and she refers people to local organizations.

Although Wolford recently lost her job because of the recession, she still holds on to her dream for the future.

“I have a vision,” Wolford said. “My vision is huge.”

Wolford wants to create a Latino center, continue volunteering her time as a teacher and add classes on living in a new culture. She also would like to help preserve the Spanish language for children and have volunteer teachers share that language with kids.

“People in the community have been nice,” Wolford said. “Some of them open their hearts.”

Living in the U.S. has been a blessing, Wolford said. She became a wife, a mother and a teacher here. She has built relationships with her students and watched some go on to college after learning English in her class. She can’t stop teaching and holds her dreams for the next 10 years close to her heart.

“I want to create a bridge where Caucasian people and Hispanic people come together,” Wolford said. “And leave their fears behind.”

Christina Harper: 425-339-3491, harper@heraldnet.com.

Classes offered

English as a Second Language classes are offered 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays at First Baptist Church, 1616 Pacific Ave., Everett.

English for Hispanic seniors is offered at 1 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays at 11627 Airport Road, Everett.

For information call, 425-514-3186 or 425-377-9999.