English Language Learners

My life is filled with multi-lingual people. The majority of my students speak another language at home. I live in a place where the boat that a person is fresh off of docks. I hear more languages than I can place on my mile walk to the subway. It's my anthropological dream.

Being surrounded by so many who are at different stages of learning English often brings unexpected dialogue to my world. I was supposed to meet my landlord's son at my apartment after school. I ran into him as he was leaving. I told him that I was sorry I missed him, he replied, "I miss you, too." Such a sweet sentiment kind of misdirected.

Prior to the missing conversation, my student had a more difficult moment with the nuance of language. While he was waiting for the bus, saw me as I returned to the lunchroom and shouted, "She kicked me in the [insert word for a part that is normally covered by a bathing suit]!" He quickly repeated it to anyone who would listen. I then looked at the guidance counselor and said, "You have this one, right?" Then my student gave me a hug goodbye and sat down for a little conversation about the words you can use in school and the ones you cannot.