By: George Wang
Over the past 14 weeks, I’ve had the privilege of volunteering every Monday evening for the Happy Seniors English Club, an online English-learning program hosted by the Chinese American Community Health Services (CACHS) and supported by volunteers from CYOC (Chinese Youth of the Capital). Funded by the Montgomery County Government, this program is designed specifically to support Chinese seniors (age 60 and above) in improving their English, adapting to American life, and building stronger connections with their grandchildren born in the U.S.
At first, I didn’t really know how to teach. I spoke too fast, often used words that were unfamiliar to the seniors, and overall struggled to break down phrases into digestible parts. But as the weeks went on, I gradually developed patience, learned how to communicate more clearly and effectively. I eventually learned how to pace my lessons, and which points to emphasize. I would often repeat concepts or go over key points multiple times until the grandparents felt confident. Seeing them make progress, even step by step, was incredibly meaningful.
The class topics were practical and directly related to these seniors’ everyday life. We covered how to schedule a doctor’s appointment, understand and use health insurance, shop for groceries, ask for assistance in a pharmacy, and even how to understand basic financial support options. These topics helped seniors grow their vocabulary, challenge their pronunciation skills, and most of all help them make their everyday lives better.
Working together with other CYOC volunteers was also a wonderful part of this experience. We supported each other in planning and leading the sessions, and together we created a fun, respectful, and encouraging environment for the seniors. Beyond teaching, we helped troubleshoot technical issues and supported them in the class WeChat groups where they could review material and ask follow-up questions.
What touched me most was the seniors’ dedication. They were so eager to learn—not just for themselves, but also to better connect with their families. Many of them told us they wanted to be able to talk more with their grandchildren or understand conversations during family outings.
Volunteering in this program has taught me how powerful language can be in bringing people closer together. I’m truly grateful to CACHS for organizing this meaningful program, and to CYOC for giving me the chance to contribute and grow alongside such inspiring elders.
Website Editor: Grace Yan
华府青年 CYOC 