Formal Learning:
Imanuel enrolled in his first ESL class two weeks after he arrived in the United States at the beginning of the 2003 winter quarter (January). He was first placed in the lowest level, Level A (SPL 0-2) and transferred to level B SPL 3-4) within a couple of weeks after the in-class teacher was able to assess his skill level. He remained enrolled in that level until the end of Spring quarter (June). He successfully completed level C (SPL 4-5) in the summer quarter of 2003. His reason for discontinuing his formal study of English was because he began working full time as a driver in August 2003.
In his in-home interview from March, 2004, Imanuel reported the value of his experience in his English as a Second Language classes. In the clip, Imanuel reports that he didn't speak any English when he first came to the United States but went to school at PCC and now can speak to American people, children, and friends. He also talks about how he can ask for directions if he is lost.
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In his interview a year later (March, 2005), when asked what he thought were experiences in the classroom which helped him learn, he mentions being able to ask questions to and listen to the teacher, having to do a lot of homework ("too much" in his developing language means "very much"), and being able to talk with his classmates ("partner").
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Informal Learning:
In his last interview, Imanuel first states that he doesn't study on his own but after the interviewer has asked him about his exposure to written English as a way of learning, he starts seeing exposure as a way of learning.
| IR: | and there are other things that you do to improve your English? | |
| Imanuel: | only at work, yes, I speak with people at work | |
| IR: | now at the body shop, you don't have direct contact with customers. | |
| Imanuel: | No | |
| IR: | So you speak English only with coworkers | |
| Imanuel: | yes | |
| IR: | you speak a lot? | |
| Imanuel: | yes we talk a lot. ((laughter)) | |
| Imanuel: | we work, so we are 4 or 5 people. | |
| IR: | Does everyone speak English mainly? | |
| Imanuel: | yes | |
| IR: | They don't speak other languages? | |
| Imanuel: | no they speak | |
| IR: | So you have to speak English during the day | |
| Imanuel: | yes during the day | |
| IR: | talk during the day. | |
| Imanuel: | yes | |
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Imanuel has strong views about language learning in particular at home as is evidenced in this classroom interaction from May, 2003 (Click to View) (Requires Internet Explorer).