| Several months ago, I covered an event on | | | | population that could either not speak English at all or |
| immigration reform for a local newspaper through | | | | did not speak it well sufficient to really feel confident |
| which one of the topics discussed was the language | | | | when communicating with English speakers. |
| barrier that numerous immigrants face plus the isolation | | | | She pointed out that teaching English as a second |
| that they experience being a result. The discussion | | | | language helped break down a lot of the barriers |
| looked at various techniques to deal with this problem, | | | | between the persons of different cultures. The reality |
| and a nun stood up and told the audience that she had | | | | is, she stated, that language would be the most |
| been teaching English to be a second language. | | | | essential way to communicate and understand various |
| She told us that she came from a relatively large | | | | groups of individuals. |
| congregation, using a sizable Asian and Latino | | | | |