Students in Doctor Linda Maher’s English as a Second Language class come from all different cultural backgrounds. Hispanic or Chinese, in this small class they all find ways to communicate and have fun despite knowing only a little bit of English.

“Usually there’s people in this class, like me, who can speak Spanish and English,” sophomore Phillip Ramirez said. “We assign them to help students around.”

Maher explained it by showing a video of a dog and an elephant who are best friends, named Tarra and Bella. Despite being two different animals, they’re best friends simply because they are both animals that love playing and running.

“If someone like you and me can become friends because we both have similar hair or taste, when we’re very like each other,” Maher said. “Imagine what it’s like for people who are very different.”

Maher also shared how for years she taught English to kids in the middle east. She didn’t know any Arabic and the kids didn’t know any English, but they still communicated with each other through songs and games.

“Communication is so much more than just language,” Maher said. “It’s facial expressions and common human interest.”

18elee@usd489.com