What you might not notice

If you pass by 450 North Prince Street in Lancaster, you might think it’s just another office building with a coffee shop on the first floor. You might even think that Lancaster doesn’t need another building like this one, even if the coffee and tea are excellent. But that would be an incorrect assumption … because of other activities that you might not notice.

Every Tuesday and Thursday morning and evening, Neighbors Community Center is a classroom — several classrooms in fact. These classrooms are filled with adults learning English. They are also filled with laughter and fun.

Since 2022, Neighbors has offered classes for adult learners of English. The students come from many countries and have varied educational experiences. Some are refugees with limited schooling, others had professional jobs in their home countries. All have one goal — to learn English so they can more fully participate in their new country. Residents of Lancaster County speak more than 70 languages. In Lancaster City, nearly a third of residents speak a language other than English. It is easy to see why language classes are both popular and necessary.

Students are placed into classes based on their level of English proficiency. All who register for classes complete a quick assessment of their English skills and are then assigned to the class that best meets their needs.

Several volunteers come in to complete these assessments during the registration period. Prospective students wait in the cafe and lobby until it is their turn. Some come in family groups — others with caseworkers from Church World Service (Lancaster’s primary immigration and refugee resettlement organization). All want to get into a class to improve their English. Because of the number of prospective students and the desire to get all of them into a class, Neighbors has added an additional level 1 beginner class. Even with another class available, there is a waiting list for the next session.

There are also a lot of regular attenders. Many students have to walk, and yet they keep coming back to class. They don’t give up. They have jobs, families, and busy lives, but they come to class regularly, even though learning a new language is yet another challenge.

What do the students learn? It depends on which class they are in. Level 1 classes teach basic survival English. Visit that class, and you will see small groups repeating what the teacher says and answering simple questions. You can see the pride when they say something correctly, and the happiness at learning something new.

Level 2 English expands on what students learned in Level 1. They work with more complex words and sentences. Sometimes, they role-play going to a restaurant or grocery store. They ask for items from a list, pay for them, and receive change.

Students in the level 3 class often discuss topics like health care and celebrations, describing how things are different in their home countries and how they are the same. They also work on reading and writing skills as many had professional jobs and would like to find similar employment here.

Learning words and grammar is only part of what happens. Students at Neighbors find a place of acceptance and security, where they can feel comfortable and at home. They make connections with other students and their teachers. The number of students who attend regularly is a testament to the connections
they make.

One student said it was the first place that helped her when she came to the United States. Others are able to take classes because of the child care that is offered. One student mentioned he did not have anyone to watch his infant daughter while his wife was working and he was in class. Recently, the staff and teachers had an impromptu baby shower for a student. She was surprised and touched as she repeated, “Thank you, thank you so much.”

One psychological theory holds that language is the root of culture and is significant to learning. By providing a welcoming and safe place to learn English, Neighbors allows its newcomer students to also learn about their new culture and adjust to it. As they adjust, they feel more confident and capable.

So, if you’re passing by Neighbors at the end of class, take time to watch as students depart. See their smiles and waves as they leave, and know that this is a place of learning and refuge.