BY MARY ANNE ROSS
Correspondent
EAST BRUNSWICK – Every year, thousands of people come from countries all over the world to live in the United States.
Some want more than just to be here; they want to become citizens. And in East Brunswick there is a special class to help them.
The Citizen Preparation Class, offered by the Community Education Department of the East Brunswick school district, teaches both English as a second language (ESL) and the civic and history requirements needed to pass the U.S. citizenship test.
On June 13, more than 80 students and many of their friends and families gathered for the year-end celebration of the ESL and civic preparation class. State Assemblywoman Barbara Buono and Superintendent of Schools Jo Ann Magistro addressed the group, and several students spoke about their experience of coming to America and why they wanted to become citizens. The event closed with an enthusiastic rendition of “God Bless America.”
The path to citizenship is not easy.
“They need to fill out a complex 10-page application. Then they get their fingerprints taken, and it takes anywhere from two months to a year to have their background check,” said Adrienne Harris, who teaches ESL and civic education.
Then there is the test itself. Candidates must demonstrate that they can read and write in English. They must also know the “100 Questions.”
“It’s really only 96,” explained Harris. “They are all civic questions focusing on American history and government and civil law. The [immigration] officer chooses 10 at random and they must get six correct.”
Harris has been teaching the course for 10 years. She is touched by their stories.
“Many of my students are refugees. Some of the older ones went through World War II. One told me her uncle was dragged out of the house and shot in the yard because he was Jewish,” Harris said.
She is also inspired by how determined they are to learn English.
Ming Yuan Song is one of those students. She was a teacher in China, but when she came to the United States, she had to start with the basics, learning the English alphabet. She has been studying English for five years and became a citizen a few years ago. She still continues to practice.
“I watched television in English every day. I practice 10 sentences every day,” she explained. “I also keep a diary on the computer and my granddaughter corrects it.”
That granddaughter, Helena Qi, is a ninth-grader at Churchill School. Qi decided to meet her community service requirements by volunteering in the ESL class. She translates for the students.
“I’m thrilled to have her. She is such a big help,” said Harris.
Bonnie Hua also assists Harris with the ESL class. She was one of the advanced students and was hired as a teacher’s aide. Hua lived in New York’s Chinatown when she first came to the U.S.
“Everyone there spoke Chinese, so I couldn’t learn English,” she explained. “I really wanted to learn, so I came to East Brunswick. Everyone is so nice here. It feels like my hometown.”
Hua will be taking her citizenship test in the next two weeks. “I love America,” she said.
Harris teaches classes at the library, the senior center and the high school.
“These classes really reflect the senior center’s philosophy in three ways,” said Rachel Steinberg, director of the East Brunswick Senior Center.
Students who attend the class at the senior center must be members of the center.
“First, we believe in lifelong learning, and the classes afford a great opportunity for that. Second is that our center really reflects the diversity of East Brunswick and not just ethnicity, but our socioeconomic diversity. Also, one of the hallmarks of the center is our ability to partner with other programs and agencies, such as the library and the school system and Middlesex County transportation,” Steinberg said.
Steinberg also notes that many seniors feel isolated, especially those from other countries.
“I would stay in my house. I was afraid to go out because I didn’t know anyone,” said Bella Fishman, who came from Ukraine to help raise her granddaughter.
Fishman did not speak English when she started the classes at the senior center, and most of the other students were Chinese. Fortunately, the husband of one of her classmates was a professor who had taught in Russia. He only remembered a few phrases.
“But when I heard those words, it was like a holiday in my heart. I didn’t feel alone anymore,” she said.
Larysa Bereznytska, of South River, was a geologist in Ukraine. She was able to come to the U.S. after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
“I love the freedom here,” Bereznytska said. “In the Ukraine you could go to jail for making a joke about the government.”
Bereznytska works in a local department store. “It’s good practice for my English,” she said.
Harris estimates she has taught over 1,000 students over the years. “They are really special. I love working with them,” she said.
The feeling is mutual.
“Our teacher is really kind, caring and wonderful,” said Hua. Several other students also praised her in their speeches.
“Last year, my son was sick and I can’t tell you how many told me that they asked their whole church, their whole temple, their whole mosque to pray for him. These are very good-hearted [people]. It’s good to see them become Americans,” she said.