English at Work

This month we’re profiling Barbara Caballero. Barbara recently finished teaching a series of courses to a group of housekeepers, cafeteria workers and laundry attendants at the Hilton hotel in downtown Austin. Barbara has worked with English at Work since last fall and we’re excited about the interactive activities Barbara brings into her classroom. When her Health & Safety class wrapped up, she invited the students’ supervisors in for a day of role play. Everyone took turns playing receptionist, doctor, patient and cashier and re-created the experience of going to the doctor. Thanks to the Hilton for hosting a class and thanks to all the supervisors at the Hilton who supported their coworkers learning English and who volunteered to participate in class activities.

Having studied French and spent time abroad, Barbara says she understands the struggle her students go through, not just in learning a new language, but a new culture as well. In France she was grateful to all the people who were so kind to her and helped her learn French. Teaching ESL is her chance to give that back to someone else.

Barbara says her favorite part of teaching is that light bulb moment – the moment when you’re teaching and you can see the student get it. And it’s even more exciting when that student turns around and teaches someone else.

Barbara first started teaching in California. She had just moved and was looking for a church. She came across a church with a sign for literacy classes, and thought, “Any church that teaches literacy must be good!” She ended up volunteering with the literacy group that used the church’s space, and in time became the program’s director. That eventually lead to teaching ESL, and we’re so lucky to have her with English at Work!