With the help of Mrs. Wright, a dedicated Becton English teacher, the ESL program at Henry P. Becton Regional High School has grown significantly since March 2022. She was a big part of expanding the program, which started with only 14 students in one class and grew to 52 students spread across six classes. Her efforts have made this program a strong support for students learning a new language and culture.
This program helps students from a variety of cultures learn English, while also making them feel accepted in their new environment. As our globe becomes more varied, the ability to communicate in multiple languages becomes more crucial than ever. This subject is important because it shows how education can shape lives and build meaningful connections between people. Today, as many kids are adjusting to new cultures and languages, this understanding is especially valuable.
One surprising detail is how many students depend on technology to learn English. Mrs. Wright attested, “Students learn second languages a lot slower now than they used to because they can rely on technology. It’s a bit of a double-edged sword.” This means that while apps and online tools can help, they can also make it harder for students to fully immerse themselves in the language.
Mrs. Wright also shared her memorable experiences meeting people from various backgrounds. She reflected, “I never imagined meeting so many people from different cultures and religions. Recognizing the small differences that affect acculturation is crucial for understanding each other as human beings.” Her words highlight the importance of cultural awareness in fostering mutual understanding and meaningful friendships.
Despite Mrs. Wright’s passion for English, it is no shock that she also enjoys solving problems. She admits that if she had not become an ESL teacher, she would have been a math teacher. As for the profession of teaching, her mother always believed that teaching would be the ideal career for her, and her father was a teacher, so it seems she obtained this inspiration from her family. Ultimately, Mrs. Wright decided to pursue this path as her career because she beleives that speaking English opens up an abundance of work prospects worldwide.
After 25 years of teaching, Mrs. Wright’s dedication to supporting her students is evident. “My goals are always the same for myself and my students,” she noted, “each year, I strive to help my pupils improve their comprehension of the English language and American culture. Additionally, I want them to feel at home at Becton. Every year, I have to figure out how to accomplish that with a different collection of children and levels; it’s a new challenge each year.” With her academic background, which includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History and English, as well as a Master’s Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language, Mrs. Wright is committed to creating a supportive and welcoming environment for her students.
In summary, Mrs. Wright’s commitment to her students and their diverse backgrounds plays a pivotal role in shaping the ESL program at BRHS. In fact, her students describe her as patient, friendly, and intelligent– highlighting her positive influence. Her goal is to ensure that all of her students feel at peace in the building, and attests that Becton has a “genuine community feel” that sets it apart from other schools and helps her reach this goal.
