At Radnor High School, we have a multitude of resources to help us become better students, such as the ELP program, Lunch & Learn, teacher office hours, and our amazing school counselors! But another resource that Radnor has is the English Language Development program. This program is open to those whose first language is not English, who often need to meet specific criteria to take APs and specific other classes. In the program, students meet for two periods every day to enhance their oral, listening, and speaking skills and gain new learning strategies. Although it’s beneficial for  English speaking, some ELL students don’t have the chance to interact with anyone but their classmates. I became curious and wanted to know how it feels to be a Radnor ELL student, so I interviewed two ELL students who speak Spanish, asking the following questions:

1) ¿De dónde vienes?

2) ¿Cómo se siente ser estudiante internacional aquí en Radnor?

3) ¿Te gusta la escuela y su entorno? 

4) ¿Qué quisieras que tus compañeros sepan acerca de los estudiantes internacionales? ¡Gracias por tu tiempo!

In English:

1. Where are you from?
2. How does it feel to be an ELL student here at Radnor?
3. Do you like the school and its environment?
4. What would you like for other students to know about ELL students like you?

Thanks for your time!

Optimistic senior Erick Mera provided me with insightful responses:

1. Vengo de Ecuador

I come from Ecuador

2. Se siente bien aprender cultura de otro país pero es difícil porque es otro idioma, no puedes entender a la gente, es difícil hacer amistades porque es difícil comunicarse con un traductor, entiendo un poco ingles pero no es lo mismo cuando ya tenías tus amigos, ya tenias gente que te conoce.

It’s nice to learn the culture of another country, but it’s difficult because everyone speaks in another language, so I can’t understand them, and it’s hard to make new friends because it’s tiring to communicate with a translator all the time. I can understand some English, but it’s not the same as having my friends whom I spoke to all the time and understood very well in my language.

3. Si es un entorno divertido, no me he sentido rechazado, la gente me entiende porque es difícil acostumbrarse a un nuevo entorno. 

Yes, it’s a fun environment and no one has left me out because they understand that it’s hard to get used to a new environment.

4. Quiero que sepan que al principio es difícil porque nadie te conoce, no sabes el idioma y hacer amistades es muy difícil porque no te entienden pero con el tiempo todo eso cambia

I want others to know that at first, it’s challenging because no one knows you and you don’t know the language and making new friends is complicated, but with time all of it will change. 

Another senior Luis Niola gave me determined answers:

1. Soy luis y vengo de mi lindo Ecuador

My name is Luis and I come from my beautiful Ecuador 

2. Se siente muy bien, nada mas que al ser de otro país no tienes amigos 

It feels very nice but the downside is that being from another country makes you not have any friends here

3. Si me gusta mucho 

Yes, I really like the environment here 

4. Quiero que sepan sobre las culturas y tradiciones de cada uno de los países de sudamérica!

I would like them to know more about the cultures and traditions of South American countries!

My interviews found that ELL students do feel accepted and enjoy the Radnor community but have trouble with communication barriers. So if you know a second language or want to practice some foreign language skills gained from school that an ELL student speaks you can help work to make everyone feel welcome in Radnor.