Iraqi air force 101: First they must read English

Courtesy Photo | The small class size allows Mrs. Hall to spend time showing each student specific parts of the lesson in the workbook. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Paul Dean) (Released)  

ALI BASE, IRAQ

10.22.2005

Courtesy Story

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By Tech. Sgt. Paul Dean
407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
10/05/2005

ALI BASE, Iraq -- Nothing would seem out of place if the room were inside an American schoolhouse: posters with picture clues describe nouns and the like; the tables have books, pens, paper and lesson books on them; and the people seated take notes, talk amongst themselves and laugh occasionally.

All things considered, there's nothing uncommon about English as a Second Language classes. But there's a unique reason ESL classes are held at this base: Iraqi airmen are required to take the course so they can read and understand U.S. Air Force Technical Orders that outline the operation and maintenance of the 3 C-130s gifted to them.

Iraqi air force leaders decided several months ago that aircraft TOs wouldn't be translated into Arabic, which meant operators and maintainers would have to be taught English"from scratch in most cases. The task of teaching English to the almost 500 person strong Iraqi air force went to the Defense Language Institute.

Beverly Hall is part of a 4-person DLI mobile training team here to teach the Iraqi airmen assigned to Squadron 23 (Transport).

Teaching English to non-English speaking students, has never been so important said Mrs. Hall.

"These guys are building a democracy, and I get to be here to watch it grow. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity," she said.

Mrs. Hall realized the importance of the task early on, focused on the goal, and signed a new three month contract at the end of her first tour here. She's now been teaching ESL to the Iraq air force since May.

A common interest in the future of Iraq and the importance of learning to read and write English has created unique bonds between the teacher and her 15 students. "Teacher, hello teacher," the students call out frequently in the partitioned tent used as a classroom. The calls are often questions about how their answer differs from that in the book. Many times answers given by the students are better than the book answer"but above the grade level of the lesson"at which time they give Mrs. Hall a look or a smile.

"No schmoozing," she replies. "You still have homework."

The motivation behind the learning here is different from any Mrs. Hall has ever experienced, and one she doesn't think could ever be duplicated.

"Adult students in general are more self-motivated. But these guys, well they don't need me to motivate them at all: they know what the motivation is, they have to build a country; they come to class ready to learn," she said.

Mrs. Hall has to be on her game every day and on time, if not the students tell her ""Come on teacher, come on! We have to learn, we have to get into this, we need to know this English today,"" she said.

Not only do the students push Mrs. Hall to keep the learning on track, they help each other. A student will jump in at the slightest hint of a stumbling block when a fellow student is reading out loud. Then there's a student instigated mini-huddle after the jump in"with some back and forth in Arabic for a second or two, making sure everybody understands"and ending when three or four of them say the word out loud to validate group understanding and cue Mrs. Hall that she can go on.

It's been this way from the beginning said Mrs. Hall. Each of the Iraqi students truly wants all of the others to do their best.

Mrs. Hall started her teaching career 22 years ago in Arizona. Five years later she was looking for a part-time job to stay busy while her husband was at work. She was already teaching full time for the Department of Defense Dependents school system but took on another job as a part-time ESL instructor for the city of Misawa, Japan, where Mr. Hall was stationed. The irony and a common source of chuckles between the couple today, is that Mr. Hall retired from the military never having to see combat, but Mrs. Hall now collects imminent danger pay. Along the way Mrs. Hall has taught in DoD's, public and private schools.

The decision to sign on for a second term here was made after Mrs. Hall explained to her husband how important she thinks this opportunity is. Things that are happening here are different than what most Americans see on TV or read about in the paper and magazines she explained to her husband. Both agreed that this is where she needs to be right now.

"For a teacher who taught history and government to be here and watch history in the making is really fascinating," she said.

Mrs. Hall makes little of her contribution and said all of the accolades should go to her students for their courage.

"They know about our country and the founding fathers. I remind them that they are going to be in [the Iraqi] history books one day," she said. "Your grandchildren are going to read about you building your country the same way our founding fathers did.""

• Date Taken: 10.22.2005
• Date Posted: 10.22.2005 18:36
• Story ID: 3455
• Location: ALI BASE, IQ