Tutor Diary

By Kate

When I began tutoring Nada, she had recently immigrated to Canada from Croatia with her husband and young daughters, two and four years old. Nada confided in me that she felt very isolated in her home looking after her daughters; I could tell she was very lonely.

For our next tutoring session, instead of working at the community center, we put the girls in the stroller and walked to my favourite coffee shop. I introduced Nada to Sally, the owner, and Claire, a friend of mine who was there having a coffee. Nada ordered for herself and felt quite proud when Sally understood her perfectly. Claire, also a young mother, talked about a playgroup for young children at the recreation centre where she takes her kids. Nada was all ears!

Nada and I practised the vocabulary needed for her to register her girls in the playgroup. Then we looked up the bus schedule from Nada’s home to the recreation centre and went on the route together. The playgroup was exactly what Nada needed; her girls loved playing with other children, and Nada made friends with the young mothers.

Now, there’s no stopping Nada! She goes shopping, takes an art class, and recently started swimming lessons. Nada’s English has improved, and she has become more confident and much happier.

Nada gave me a watercolour she painted in her art class to thank me for “opening the door” to our community.