“Assisting People from Around the World”

Contents• Literacy at WIS...................................1• Youth Program..................................1• ESL In The Computer Lab..............2• Gui Ping Wu: An Interivew............2• World Cooking Lessons.................3• Volunteer Program..........................3• BCLC Legal Training........................4

MARCH 2015 NEWSLETTER ISSUE 6

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Westman ImmigrantServices

As the ESL After School Program expanded to include Riverview and Earl Oxford Schools, the students have been very receptive, enjoying their activities with their friends to improve their English skills. We are now offering an ESL After School Program for high school students in Vincent Massey called Conversation Group. The goal of this program is to enhance spoken English skills and to increase confidence in using conversational English. The program will run for 10 weeks on Wednesdays, starting on March 18th. Thank you to our volunteer coordinator for finding great volunteers to make this program happen. Thank you, also to Healthy Brandon for supporting our Capoeira program.

We are still taking registrations for our Spring programs. The following programs are limited to immigrant youth: • Hip Hop beginning March 21st

• Capoeira beginning March 25th

• Babysitting Course beginning April 4th (12 – 18 years)

We are still accepting registrations for the following program which is open to all:• Soccer Program for Grades 3-6

Contact Elena Santin for more information on programs and registrations at 204-727-6031 ext. 2233

Literacy at Westman Immigrant ServicesI have been teaching since 1999, and during those years, I have taught children and adults and a variety of subjects. The class that I am teaching now is both the most challenging and rewarding one of my career. Since September of 2012, I have been teaching Adult ESL Literacy learners at Westman Immigrant Services. Most literacy students have interrupted, or no, formal education in their countries of origin. This is often due to economic concerns or displacement because of war or conflict. Many of the students in my class lived for years in refugee camps outside of their countries of origin, and the opportunities for school were few.

Teaching this class can be very challenging because there are many concepts that literate students are aware of and can utilize in a school setting that non-literate students cannot. Some examples of these include: how to use a binder, how to hold a pencil, and most importantly, to understand that written text has meaning. For some literacy students, at the beginning, it is even difficult for them to match a photograph or picture to a real-life object, because for them the two dimensional photograph or representation has no meaning. As a teacher, in the past, I just assumed that all students understood these types of concepts. Teaching this class has helped me to grow as a teacher and for that I am very thankful.

While learning new teaching techniques has been invaluable for me as a professional, it is the relationships with my students that have been the most rewarding. At the conclusion of my first class at Westman Immigrant Services, in 2007, every student said thank you to me as they were leaving the room. After a few years teaching in public school, this in itself was a revelation for me. The students in my literacy class are even more grateful for the opportunity to come to school and learn the skills and tasks necessary for them to have fulfilling lives in Canada. They all have excellent attitudes and show up for a two and a half hour class four mornings a week, after having worked all night and then taken their kids to school. They are enthusiastic and excited about learning new things and always appreciative. As a teacher, you can’t ask for much more! I admire their dedication and desire and cannot begin to imagine how challenging it would be to go to school for the first time in many years in a new language.

L-R Standing: Aweke Alemayehu, Asefa Teferi, Bekelech Bedada, Angela Mowbray (Head Teacher), Sebsebe Gebreyesus Seated: Aster Woldane

Youth Programs

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“Assisting People from Around the World”

ESL in the Computer Lab

During the spring term the language program is offering a 10 week BASIC COMPUTER SKILLS course for ESL students from 2:30 – 4 pm every Tuesday and Thursday to eligible clients with a CLB level 3 or higher.

By the end of this course, students will be able to identify and develop basic competence with/use of:

• the hardware components of the desktop system

• Windows 7 operating system

• keyboarding skills

• word processing program (WordPad, MS Word 2010)

• various basic Windows 7 software accessories/programs

• Internet, including email, social networking and WEB 2.0 tools

The course will begin April 7th, 2015. Each class will include keyboarding, word processing and internet activities.

This class will be multi-level with CLB level 3 as a minimum requirement.

If you would like to take this course please register before March 31st, 2015 at the ESL registration desk or call 204-727-6031 ext 2222

Tell us a bit about yourself:

I am from a small beautiful city in China. I was a teacher in China for more than 10 years before coming to Canada. I have a son who is the joy and pride of my life.

What brought you to Brandon?

It has always been my dream to explore other countries and I wanted to know what other cultures were like. My husband’s uncle is in Brandon and he shared with me a lot about how peaceful and wonderful living here is. Thanks to his great support, my family came to Brandon three years ago and we are enjoying our life here.

When did you start working at Westman Immigrant Services and what roles have you had here?

I started here in January 2012. I started as a classroom volunteer, then I became an ESL teacher and shortly after, I also started working

as a settlement assistant. I have continued teaching a Saturday class and am now a settlement facilitator.

Tell us about your community involvement and volunteer work:

I was a classroom volunteer at Westman Immigrant Services; I also offer to interpret for a variety of people who need help.

What do you like most about your job as a settlement facilitator here at Westman Immigrant Services?

One of the best things about working at Westman Immigrant Services is the wonderful relationships I’ve developed with my co-workers. They are all from different cultural backgrounds and I’ve learned a lot from all of them. I am also very happy to see my clients become more independent through the assistance I can offer as a settlement facilitator. It’s very rewarding work.

Gui Ping Wu : Settlement Facilitator

Gui Ping Wu in her office.

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“Assisting People from Around the World”

Mom & Tot Partnerships

We have begun to offer Mom & Tot Partnerships to newcomers with children who would like to meet other moms who are settled immigrants or long time Canadians. This program gives participants the opportunity to meet other moms, to learn about life as a parent in Canada, and to practice their English skills. This program will remove barriers for newcomer moms who may not be able to participate in other programs due to a lack of childcare. This opportunity will allow volunteers to bring their children along making it easier for them to participate as well. The Mom & Tot program will also give children of both parents a chance to socialize with others. Mom & Tot Partners will meet once per week for one to two hours over the course of three months. These meetings will take place onsite in Kids’ Corner if space is available or in a child-friendly public space. Participants must have Level 3 English or higher to participate and volunteers must have a Level 7 English or higher to participate. If this opportunity interests you, either as a newcomer mom or as a volunteer, please contact Meghan Cronkrite at 204 727-6031 ext 2227.

Thank you to our many volunteers! Your exceptional work and dedication have truly enriched our programs and classes. We couldn’t do it without your support!

World Cooking Lessons

As of March 7th, 2015 the season of our World Cooking Lessons draws to a close. We have had a very successful run this year with presentations from 10 different countries! Due to popular demand our Mexican class was even repeated, meaning we held 11 classes this run.

Our classes are taught by our clients: people who are Permanent Residents here in Canada. Most of these teachers have been women giving them exposure to the community they are living in. Some of the teachers have been very talented men and there was even a class taught by a husband and wife duo. These lessons are treated like a window to the culture they represent. While they are teaching members of the community how to make a traditional dish from their home country they are also telling stories. They explain why that dish is important, what type of event it would be served at, and their fond memories of that particular food.

The classes are held in the kitchen at Knox United Church two Saturdays a month. The classes are very informal with lots of conversation between the attendees and the cook(s). We have even used the services of an interpreter a few times in order to facilitate the experience.

There has been a bit of sadness as the season comes to a close, but rest assured there will be more classes to come in the Fall of 2015! Ideas are already being generated for next year on which countries to feature and a few people have even requested repeats of their favourites.

If there is a country you would like to see represented during our next session of World Cooking Lessons, please send your suggestion via e-mail to Sarah Nantais at:

sarahn@westmanimmigrantservices.caThe farther in advance we know what countries interest people the sooner we can start looking into getting cooks for those classes.

Enjoy the sunshine and we will see you again when the weather gets cold.

Attendees listen to our instructor explain during our Ukrainian class.

Fun is had during our last class of the season, Mexico.

“Assisting People from Around the World”

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Contact us at 204-727-6031 “Assisting people from around the world”1001 Pacific Avenue, Brandon, MB, R7A 0J2www.www.westmanimmigrantservices.ca.

Connect with us online:

Brandon Community Language Centre Legal Training

Fifteen Brandon Community Language Centre Interpreters have just completed a training module on interpreting in legal settings. This training is offered to enhance their ability to interpret in all types of legal settings by focusing on the Canadian and Provincial Legal system and processes and legal terminology. The training included presentations by the organizations for which the interpreters will be interpreting.

In their own words:

“Assisting individuals that struggle to communicate with each other in dire situations such as the legal matters I constantly interpret for, is a privilege of the highest level from which I am honored to be a part. To have the opportunity to be trained in order to be able to perform those interpretation duties more proficiently, and be surrounded by colleagues from ten different countries in the very same classroom,  learning to serve our Brandon better, being trained by amazing people from all corners of the legal realm, is priceless.” ~ Juan

“Beyond enriching my fund of vocabulary, the training validated how critical the role of an interpreter is in the community; thus, the commitment to professional growth

and development.  The training is over, but the learning continues.” ~Joy

“As immigrants with diverse backgrounds and still under transition, legal training at BCLC has prepared our group of fifteen to face real life situations.  In short, we have a better understanding of our community, we have the necessary tools to help new comers, we are fully informed to direct residents and above all, we move freely but cautiously as we know our legal rights” ~Kavita

“Legal training is not merely a training of the profession it is a precious opportunity to exchange our work experiences and enhance our professional performances with the assistance of our supportive facilitators and trainer. Most of us are new comers ourselves, so being able to help other new comers adjust to the community life makes us feel valued.” ~ Subi

To enquire about our interpreter service or to book an interpreter please call 204-727-2276 or email tinam@westmanimmigrantservices.ca or carolines@westmanimmigrantservices.ca

L-R, back row: Hector Torres, Juan Zavaleta, Stephan Tytlandsvik, Bianca Vergunst-Duyvestijn, Larysa Varakina, Erich StummeL-R front row: Subinauer Aizimujiang, Karla Ortega, Joy Escalera, Rocio Ramirez, Cristina Makwaychuk (BCLC Booking Clerk), Diana Moreno, Gisele Corrigal, Kavita Jugessur, Irene Lee, Taruna Mohit Seated: Jane Langes (Facilitator/Trainer), Caroline Slimmon (Manager Community Outreach)