Immigrants practice conversation skills in Fort Vancouver Regional Library program

Find language learning program schedule: http://bit.ly/13XJtmI

Saturday

Spanish conversation circle, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Battle Ground Community Library, 1207 S.E. Eighth Way, Battle Ground.

Tuesday

English Conversation Circle, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., Vancouver.

French Conversation Circle, 11 a.m. to noon, Cascade Park Community Library, 600 N.E. 136th Ave., Vancouver.

Bocaditos, a Spanish Conversation Circle, noon to 1:30 p.m., Cascade Park Community Library, 600 N.E. 136th Ave., Vancouver.

Advanced Spanish Conversation Circle, 6 to 8 p.m., Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., Vancouver.

Dec. 31

Let’s Talk Grammar!, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Battle Ground Community Library, 1207 S.E. Eighth Way, Battle Ground.

Library Journal article about changing linguistic programs at libraries

http://bit.ly/1vaHvox

When Judith Ramirez immigrated to Vancouver from Guadalajara, Mexico, in January, she couldn’t speak English. Her husband, Javier Gaeta, who is fluent in English, suggested his family speak only English at home for Ramirez and their children to become comfortable speaking their new language.

Their son, Leonardo, 9, spent six months in the dual language program at Marrion Elementary School and picked up English so quickly that he now attends their neighborhood school, Mill Plain Elementary. Their daughter, Tamara, 4, learned to speak English by watching cartoons and movies on the family’s iPad, Ramirez said.

Ramirez and Gaeta didn’t want their children to forget their native tongue.

“Now my husband and kids speak English so fast,” Ramirez, 38, said. “I feel like a kid, playing the rope (jumping rope). I am just waiting to jump in. Now at the house, we speak Spanish for the kids, and I am out of the game.”

At the library, she saw a flier for the English conversation circle that provides a supportive environment for practicing her conversational skills.

“This is the place where I can practice,” Ramirez said. “On the street, I am scared (to speak English). But in here, I feel such comfort.”

Nearly 3,000 people attended 359 language-learning programs in the Fort Vancouver Regional Library system in 2013, said Sue Vanlaanen, library district spokeswoman.

“We offer a robust menu of language-learning resources — books, CDs and online services — all available to library cardholders at no cost,” Vanlaanen said. “A number of our libraries go beyond these offerings by hosting language-learning programs out in the community and at the library.”

The growing popularity of language-learning programs in Clark County mirrors a national trend. After surveying 337 public libraries nationwide, the trade publication Library Journal reported that providing language-learning services has moved from luxury to necessity for libraries. Spanish is the most in-demand language to learn, with English for speakers of other languages second, according to Library Journal.

Volunteer Milton Jones, who has lived in several countries, facilitates the conversation by asking participants questions and introducing new words.

All of the participants said they speak their native language at home, but he encouraged them to speak English in the group.

“If you make mistakes, who cares?” Jones asked.

Although Victoria Michel, 53, emigrated from Mexico to Los Angeles more than 20 years ago, she still struggles with speaking English in public. She practices at the conversation circle.

“Outside, I never speak English,” Michel said.

“My heart goes dum-dum-dum!” she said while moving her hand over her heart. “I love to speak English, but I can’t. Only in my dreams! In my life? No! My kids says ,’No, Mommy, please don’t speak English. People don’t understand you.’ “

Nine years ago, Mika Takada’s family emigrated from Japan to Camas for her husband’s job.

“My husband’s company — how you say it?” asked Takada, 46, searching to find the correct English word. “Guest worker in Japanese company.”

Takada said she was “very nervous about speaking. Some people go, ‘Huh? Pardon me!’ “

Others around the table nodded.

After attending high school in Japan, Takada’s oldest son, 19, returned to his family and is studying aviation at Portland Community College.

Their youngest son, Aruki, 14, plays on the basketball team at Camas High School.

“Undefeat! Five-zero!” Takada exclaimed while waving her arm. “Papermakers! Funny name!”

Nadezhda Zagrita, 50, was quieter than the other participants. Her family emigrated from Vinnytsia, Ukraine, 23 years ago. She offered no information on her own, but Jones asked her a series of questions to draw her out and persuade her to practice speaking English.

“How many children do you have?” Jones asked.

“One daughter,” Zagrita replied.

“What is your daughter’s name?”

“Olga.”

“How old is your daughter?”

“Twenty-nine.”

Through more questions and answers, Zagrita said that her daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren live in the same apartment complex as Zagrita and her husband.

“What do your grandchildren call you?”

Her face lit up.

“Babushka!” said Zagrita, whose head is covered in a traditional scarf.

At the end of the table, volunteer Keelie Wray observed the conversation circle. Next month, she plans to start an English conversation circle at Hazel Dell Elementary School for parents whose children attend the school.

Ramirez offered input about why the conversation circle was helpful to her: “In my case, I improve my vocabulary. When I go to store now, (I am) more confident to ask questions.”

Susan Parrish: 360-735-4515; twitter.com/col_schools; susan.parrish@columbian.com