Zehra Moldri Mutlu –
Last year, junior Zehra Moldri Mutlu moved from Kazakhstan to the United States for the promise of a better education. While Mutlu had to leave her home and everyone she knew behind, she looked forward to discovering a new life in the U.S.
“[I remember the U.S.] being just like the movies,” Mutlu said. “The [problem] was talking with people.”
The challenges presented by Mutlu’s limited English abilities caused her to struggle to make connections with others.
“It was so scary. I couldn’t talk with anyone, I couldn’t understand what they were saying,” Mutlu said. “I would always talk with my hands to show what I was saying.”
To interact with others, Mutlu would rely on her English teacher. Fortunately, Mutlu was not left in the dark for long. The English Language Development (ELD) program at McLean is designed to improve students’ English knowledge by working on their speaking, writing and listening skills. For Mutlu, ELD has had a significant impact on her learning.
“My [ELD] teachers would talk much slower [for me], so I could understand what they were saying,” Mutlu said. “We [also] did many practices in class with other kids who didn’t know English like me.”
Despite the many differences between McLean and her school in Kazakhstan, Mutlu appreciates the support of ELD.
“I always try to talk first [with others]; I am not scared [anymore],” Mutlu said. “The [ELD teachers] have helped me a lot because when I have questions, I would come to them.”
Michael Click, Mutlu’s ELD teacher, was her guiding light in her English development. “She’s more comfortable speaking with me and the rest of the class [now],” Click said. “She’s gotten over her fear of speaking.”
As Mutlu continues her journey of adjusting to a new school, she offers advice to others who are going through the same thing.
“Ask teachers for help and connect with classmates,” Mutlu said. “Never be afraid to ask for help.”

Fariha Hamidi –

Born in Afghanistan, junior Fariha Hamidi was raised in Turkey for over a decade. Hamidi’s life was flipped on its head when she moved to the U.S. for her parents’ new jobs.
“I already had to move [from my home in Afghanistan] to live in Turkey, [so] it wasn’t too hard [adjusting] to this new place,” Hamidi said. “But I do miss my home in Turkey.”
Although the language barrier is a struggle for most immigrants coming to the U.S., Hamidi didn’t have too much trouble.
“I had [already] learned Farsi and Turkish, which was hard, so it made learning English easier,” Hamidi said.
There were still times when Hamidi grappled with English. Luckily, she knew who to count on at school for help in communicating.
“My teachers are always helping me,” Hamidi said, “especially Ms. Santasine.”
Hamidi’s ELD teacher, Tracy Santasine, who is part of the staff of the ELD program, has been Hamidi’s primary mentor for adapting to her new surroundings.
“She’s very hard-working, and she’s very determined,” Tracy Santasine said. “She is always communicating in English, and by doing that, it’s helping her learn English faster.”
In the ELD program, students are assigned to different levels, with level one being students who have low English skills and level four being students with the highest proficiency. Hamidi has steadily progressed through the levels.
“[Hamidi] was a level one when she came last year, and now she’s a level three this year,” Santasine said. “So, to make that [much] progress, that’s really great.”
The significant English progress Hamidi was able to make within a year stunned Santasine.
“I feel like I’ve seen her blossom more this year,” Santasine said. “I always see her
talking with other students.”
As students like Hamidi continue joining the McLean community, the ELD program is always there to help.
“We have more teachers and students, and we’re [all] growing and learning,” Santasine said. “It’s great that we have such a supportive environment.”