Helping ESOL learners - Rosemary’s story

We were delighted to read this letter, written by Rosemary, a student of Samoan heritage for whom English is her second language. Rosemary is in Y8 at Robertson Road School in Mangere East. Her school started with structured literacy in 2020 with the support of Liz Kane Literacy.

“When my family and I returned from Samoa to New Zealand, it was hard for me to learn a different language. I was worried that the students will make fun of me.

When I had my reading, writing and spelling test I was at a below stage. Unlike everybody else.

Thankfully, Code started in Robertson Road School. I loved Code. I enjoyed every minute of it. I never wanted to miss a day of Code.

Every morning we sound out the letters from the sound pack. At the beginning of the week we learn a sound, either a short-vowel, long-vowel, split digraph, or a trigraph. At the end of the week we look back at the sound and revise on it.

Code took my English into a higher level. Code helped me with my weaknesses in literacy. With Code, I was able to read English vocabulary fluently, it helped me with writing the words and knowing what sounds I need to use. In writing I didn’t have to use a Chromebook to search for words suitable for my year level.

I enjoyed learning Code because I was taught together with a group of students I was comfortable around. I feel like an English pro speaker in our class, because all the student with higher levels than me are asking me for help.

I recommend Code to be continued in Robertson Road School for those who need help like me.”

We would love to hear and share more stories like this - so please send them through.