Teaching English to Refugees

Recently I have started a cooperation with "Innere Mission" in Munich. My work?  Teaching English to a group of Syrian refugees that are in Munich for more or less 1 year. They all attend Realschule and are quite good in German (B1-B1  -> like me!). I won't lie, it is quite a challenge to me to lecture in German! Anyway, that is not the reason for which I am writing to you today. I wanted to tell you something that I noticed among those learners. To be honest with you, I have had just a few classes with them since I started in January, but I feel obliged to share my experience with you, my dear readers!

My learners also simply exceptional! Very motivated to learn English, ambitious, intelligent and very cooperative. Their attitude is better than the one of many Polish learners I have taught! One of the first topic in our book was "Family". Not the most apt one, you may think. That's what I was really afraid of. Not knowing about their past, plausibly traumatic experience... They way the handled it was really professional. They followed the instruction, were calm and cooperative. Later on, some of the students mentioned that their beloved ones passed away in Syria or during the travel to Greece. They tried to say few more words about the travel on a "boat", but their voice broke. Honestly, I was not sure how to react. Before I managed to find an appropriate answer, they thanked me for teaching them, so they can be more successful in the future, earn more money and help their families, since (and I quote): "We don't want them to go through the stuff we did." (My translation)

It was the first time that something so private and emotional has happened during the lesson. I am really proud to be able to help my wonderful and ambitious SS in gaining a better life! And I am more than sorry and sad, when I read that they should all be sent back and deprived the social help they deserve.
We cannot categorise people; stereotypes are the easiest way to cope with reality, but it is NOT something we shall do. We have to think BIGGER.