The Washington suburb of South Arlington, Virginia, has become a mecca for newcomers to this country. In the past ten years some 7,800 immigrants from 128 countries have settled there. Today on New American Voices you?ll meet a teacher and some students at a local school that reflects the area?s diversity.
On Fridays, Arlington Mill High School Continuation Program math teacher Thomas Levay gives his students a break from their regular lessons. With a tape of guitar music playing in the background, they can practice their computer skills, catch up on reading, or even play games ? like cards or chess ? that have some mathematical aspect. Of the 18 students in Mr. Levay?s class, one is a native-born American. Twelve are from various countries in Latin America, and the rest from Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Mr. Levay says he enjoys teaching such a diverse group.
Mr. Lavey admits that there are some problems that he, as a teacher, faces in dealing with a class of immigrant students.
One of the oldest students in the class is 25-year-old Aidrus Mohamad from Somalia. Back home he had spent his time studying the Koran and working as a mechanic, fixing radios, television sets, small motors. He says that when he immigrated to the United States with his family 3 years ago he knew no English.
Mr. Mohamad, who is African, Muslim, and handicapped ? he uses a wheelchair ? says that he faced no discrimination on any of these counts when he moved to the South Arlington community.
Another student in Mr. Levay?s class, Karolay Galdo, came to the United States from Bolivia only eight months ago. Karolay?s mother works as a housekeeper to earn money to support the family, and Karolay herself helps out by working weekends at a local McDonald?s fast food restaurant. One day soon she hopes to go to college to study electrical engineering. Meanwhile, this country is still fresh and new to her.
The lone native-born American in Thomas Levay?s math class, 18-year-old John, spent Friday?s free period playing cards with his friends Vireak from Cambodia and Max from Nicaragua.
John says he also loves the diversity of the student body.
Teacher Thomas Levay is himself of immigrant background. His father is Hungarian, his mother Peruvian. Mr. Levay says he became a teacher because he wanted to do something positive for the community. Teaching math to immigrant kids, he says, gives him particular satisfaction.
A teacher and some students at Arlington Mill High School Continuation Program ?- a school that accepts older students and tailors its teaching methods to their needs -- in the Washington suburb of South Arlington, Virginia.