Written By: Kyle Becker
Participating as a volunteer with the drivers education course was an excellent opportunity to serve immigrants in the Nashville area. A driver's license is a necessity for successful participation within society here in the United States. Getting to work, getting kids to childcare or school, accessing healthcare, and picking up groceries all necessitate transportation. Global Outreach Development’s six week driver’s education course facilitates an excellent opportunity for immigrants and refugees to learn the driving laws of Tennessee. What makes this course unique is the way that it is catered specifically for those who are in the process of learning English. There is an entire vocabulary and assumed understanding associated with driving. This course takes special care to ensure that students learn and understand each vocabulary word.
Throughout the duration of the course, I observed students grow in their confidence associated with driving in a new, foreign country. The course provided ample opportunity for students to practice written tests, study vocabulary, and interact with simulated traffic scenarios. This was all done while having a one-to-one ratio between students and volunteers. I witnessed the students' display of humility week after week learning technical vocabulary and specific rules in a foreign language. The lead facilitator, Leafa Vagatai, along with myself and the other volunteers, did our best to embody the values observed in the Bible. We wanted to welcome the foreigner and facilitate a space that encourages people to speak and to learn.
In a world where hostility is too often the norm, we were able to foster an environment that was safe and educational. It is commonplace for those who speak another language or speak with an accent, to be thought of as inferior, lesser than, or unintelligent. However, due to all of the volunteers deriving their values from our biblical education, we were able to move past the barriers and biases that so easily emerge when interacting with people who look or sound different than whatever might be the cultural norm for a given geographic location.
I believe the course was also a benefit to the volunteers. I would definitely recommend volunteering in this capacity to anyone who is interested in further developing their ability to participate in a cross cultural context. It is never easy to communicate with someone who does not speak your language. This becomes all the more challenging when your goal is to educate. As a result of volunteering with this course we were a part of meeting practical needs and simultaneously gained new perspectives on language, learning, and cross cultural communication. I am thankful to participate in welcoming immigrants and refugees into our society through these practical classes on driving and to form some wonderful friendships in the process.
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