Tuesday, February 9, 2010
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Overcoming cultural barriers

Published 11/27/09

Five Hispanic students, all-foreign born, sat around a table inside Old Mill High School recently, sharing stories of what it was like during their first few days in school.

Sean Patrick Norris - The Capital Ramon Valle, left, and Richard Nuñez sit at the “Hispanic” table during lunch at Old Mill High School. Immigrant Hispanic students say they tend to stick together because of their language and common experience, no matter what countries they come from.
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There was the normal awkwardness, and occasionally signals got crossed.

When Kenia Zavala arrived from El Salvador recently, she immediately looked for someone who could speak Spanish.

"If you come here and you don't speak English you don't feel comfortable," Zavala said.

Zavala found Eduardo Villa. But he rebuffed her early attempts to speak to him.

"He was a liar. He said he didn't know Spanish," she...

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learn spanish/teach english - 2009-11-28 23:42:12

We as a community need to come together and help these students. they are very eager and willing to learn. i have worked with Hispanic students for a number of years and have been very enriched by my experiences teaching ESOL as a volunteer. More people should get out and volunteer. you will be happy you did! and to boot you will be happy to walk away having learned some spanish!

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Barbara Watkins - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Terrible

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