Wendy Zarr with a group of ESL students at the Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services centre.
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April 04, 2017 - 11:53 AM
VERNON - A group of immigrants in Vernon scored some of the highest marks in the country when it came to answering questions about Canada.
Thirteen students enrolled in an ESL program at Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services recently completed a country-wide, mock citizenship challenge funded by the federal government and presented by Historica Canada. The challenge, which has now closed, is held annually.
Of 88,714 participants, thirteen ESL students from Vernon placed among the top in Canada, says Wendy Zarr, with Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services.
“They were pretty excited,” she says.
The students are from the intermediate-advanced ESL class, and range in age from their 20s to 70s. They come from Korea, Iraq, Germany, El Salvador and Russia, just to name a few. And while they aren’t yet eligible to take the real citizenship test, they’re well on their way to passing with flying colours.
“It was a good warm up for them,” Zarr says.
Vernon Immigrant Services offers a range of ESL courses throughout the year, and usually sees about 70 students annually. The program is free for those who qualify, and helps newcomers acquire important language skills.
“It’s a settlement English class. We teach them skills in a Canadian context, such as how to ask for service at the bank or make an appointment with the doctor," Zarr says.
The centre is always looking for tutors to work one-on-one with students. Training is provided, and the commitment is two hours a week. Anyone interested can contact the centre at 250-542-4177 for more information.
To try your own hand at a mock citizenship test, take this practice quiz.
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