For the past five years, adult students from the Immigrant Learning Center (ILC) have been visiting second grade classes at the Linden STEAM academy in Malden. During this time the Linden students are able to ask questions about the ILC students’ native language, foods, music, games, celebrations and more. It presents a sense of mutualism, where the Linden kids are given a chance to learn about other countries and cultures, while the ILC students can practice their English in front of an audience.
The relationship between the ILC and the Linden started with Kathy Smith, the Assistant Director of the ILC, who met Tina Weldai one of the second grade teachers at Linden.