THOUSAND OAKS : Immigrants Learn English at Center

Every Wednesday, a dozen immigrants ranging from their early 50s to their early 80s gather with several retired teachers at the Goebel Senior Adult Center in Thousand Oaks.

The group is a melting pot of different nationalities--a woman from Peru, a man from China, a woman from Russia. But they share a goal: the desire to improve their command of English.

Students talk about where they come from, their favorite pets and even embarrassing moments. They also work individually with volunteer retired teachers on pronunciation, vocabulary and conversation skills.

“It’s very relaxed,” said Thousand Oaks resident Naomi Bergman, 62, who volunteers as a teacher along with her 68-year-old husband, Bergy. “We have a lot of fun. There’s a lot of talking and laughing. It’s not really a classroom. It’s a social conversation group.”

Naftole Kaplan, an 82-year-old retired attorney from Argentina, and his wife Sara, 80, decided to join the group after it started in January as a chance to practice English. At home, they speak mostly Spanish with other relatives.

“It’s efficient, and the teachers are very practical. I’m going to attend as long as it keeps going,” Kaplan said in Spanish, through his grandson, Patrick Dujan.

Sue Anderson brings old reading books to the sessions that she used as a teacher at Newbury Park’s Walnut Elementary School. She adds some fun by using rubber stamps with stars and happy faces when correcting written work. In addition to improving on their English skills, immigrants get a chance to socialize with people their age.

“These people are lonely. They are locked into their language,” said Anderson, 68, of Newbury Park.

Led by members of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, the group meets from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Goebel Senior Adult Center at 1385 E. Janss Road.

New participants, age 50 and older, and volunteer teachers are welcome to join. The sessions are free. For more information, call the center at 497-2663.