International Adoption
Begin the New Year by Learning a New Language
Are you planning to adopt from China or Guatemala, and wondering how you will communicate during your trips to these countries? Are you concerned about how you will talk to your child once he or she arrives home, or how you will teach him or her about his or her heritage? Then consider one of our language classes!
This January, AAI will offer introductory Chinese classes in Eastern and Western Michigan. These classes are uniquely designed for parents planning to adopt from China. AAI’s West Michigan office will also offer a Spanish class ideal for parents planning to adopt from Guatemala, as well as two new Chinese classes specifically designed for children to take along with their parents. Keep reading to find the perfect class for you and your family!
Introductory Chinese Class for Adoptive Parents—Farmington Hills
For the first time this fall, AAI’s Farmington Hills office offered introductory Chinese language classes to adoptive parents. The classes were tremendously popular, and one class session was even full to capacity.
Family Reactions
“The families absolutely love the course,” says Lisa O’Neil, who works as an international caseworker and consultant for AAI’s China program in Farmington Hills. “They feel it is not only educational but it also provides a link to their children before they even meet them.”
Class Basics
According to Lisa, one reason why the families love the language course is because of its “user-friendly” curriculum. The class “begins by helping people understand the language in comparison to English and then continues with syntax, structure, and pronunciation of words,” says Lisa. “Students will learn common phrases, greetings, [and] adoption-related sayings.” The teacher, Michael Su, also discusses the Chinese culture and gears the class toward what adoptive parents might find useful when traveling in China.
Laughing and Learning
“He [Michael] makes learning a challenging language very fun and natural,” says Lisa. “He uses anecdotes to help keep the classes light and to help draw comparisons to American and Chinese culture.”
Jack, who took the class last fall with his wife, Gina, in preparation for their daughter’s adoption, agrees with Lisa’s sentiments. He says, “Michael is a great instructor and we laughed as much as we learned.”
Future Plans
Even though the class has ended, Jack and Gina want to keep practicing the language. “We plan to go to a Chinese restaurant to try out using our new language skills so we can get comfortable speaking Chinese in public before our trip [to China],” says Jack.
They also plan to share their knowledge about the Chinese culture and language with their daughter once she comes home. Gina says, “We intend to make sure our daughter stays in touch with her history.” Additionally, they want to be able to use simple words like “mom” and “dad” with her, and to teach her to count in Chinese.
Recommendations for Other Adoptive Families
“I would absolutely recommend this class to prospective adoptive families for three reasons,” says Jack. “One: it will give you confidence for your travels and communicating with your adopted child. Two: it will increase your knowledge of the Chinese culture. Three: it gives you the opportunity to meet and network with other waiting families.”
A new session of this class will begin on January 12. There is still time to register! For more information about this class and to find out how you can register, please go to the Chinese language classes page.
Introductory Chinese Class for Adoptive Parents—Jenison
AAI’s Jenison office has offered a class in introductory Chinese for the last three years that is similar to the class offered in Farmington Hills.
“This class is mostly conversational Chinese, but also includes some culture,” says Michelle Dykema, adoptive family caseworker and China consultant for AAI’s Jenison office. “The structure is informal, but there is outside work, too.”
Michelle often hears from students that the classes are “very helpful and interesting.” She gives the people who attend these classes credit for their participation. “It is a mark of a dedicated family when we see that they are making any effort such as this, and even if all they retain and use are a few words or phrases, their efforts are appreciated by the Chinese people,” says Michelle.
Danielle Deng, a native of China who learned English in her homeland, has taught the class for the last year. According to Michelle, Danielle has “excellent communication skills and knowledge of what is relevant to students,” which she portrays in her class.
AAI is starting a new introductory Chinese class at our Jenison location on January 10, and there is still time to register! Please see the Chinese language classes page for more information and to register for this class.
New Chinese Classes for Children and Parents—Jenison
New to AAI’s Jenison location are Chinese classes uniquely designed for both children and their parents.
Interested families will be able to choose from a Chinese language and culture class for beginners ages five and up, or from a Chinese painting and calligraphy class for ages six and up. Classes will be offered on Saturday mornings beginning on January 13. They will be taught by Sunli Whitcomb, a native Chinese speaker and owner of Ren-Ai Chinese Language and Culture School.
There is still time to register! For more information about this class, and to find out how you can register, please see the Chinese language classes page.
Spanish Classes—Jenison Location
AAI’s Spanish class is taught by Julio Juarez, a Grand Rapids Public School teacher and a native of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
It is a very flexible class that “can be geared toward anyone,” says Kim Batts, caseworker and assistant Guatemala program manager at AAI’s Jenison office. The class is open to anyone at “any level of Spanish fluency, with the exception of advanced or fluent speakers,” says Kim. Students are also encouraged to continue to take the class, even after they complete the first session, since “Julio is able to tailor the class and assignments to each person,” says Kim. Julio teaches by immersion because he “feels that students learn best when completely surrounded by the language,” says Kim. Yet, the class environment is never intimidating. Julio “tends to be an easy-going person, who makes you feel comfortable even if you make mistakes,” says Kim.
The class is well received by students, who “tend to enjoy the variety of teaching methods Julio uses, as well as his knowledge of the Guatemalan culture,” says Kim.
Spanish Class Recommendations
“I would recommend this class to anyone looking to start out learning, or continuing to learn, Spanish,” says Kim. “I would especially recommend the class to families adopting from Guatemala. Even taking one session will immensely help when they travel, and they will be able to communicate more effectively in Guatemala, which Guatemalans generally appreciate.” A new six-week Spanish class will begin on January 11. Classes will take place on Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm (except for the third week of the month, when the class will take place on Friday). There is still time to sign up. For more information, or to register for the class, please contact Kim Batts by phone at 616.667.0921 or e-mail battsk@adoptassoc.com.
