By: Edward Ye
I volunteered with the CYOC over the last 12 weeks in the CACHS 2025 English Club program, by teaching the elderly English every Monday evening. During my first lesson though, I found myself quite anxious; I was very shy, and my Chinese was not proficient at all! I needed extra help from my parents to read and translate Chinese words for me throughout the first few lessons. Despite my shortcomings, the seniors were kind, patient, and always able to understand my broken Chinese – some seniors had studied ahead of time and could also comprehend my English speech. They were earnest about studying English, and I noticed that some even took notes. I was amazed at how dedicated they were at studying English, choosing to sacrifice their leisure time. Over the next 40 minutes I read English texts with them, assisted them with pronunciations and vocabulary, and at the end of class, I could tell that their speaking had considerably improved.
Throughout the following weeks, I became more comfortable with teaching. My reliance on help from my parents decreased, and I spoke up more. Yet, I wasn’t the only person who grew. Each week, the seniors and I went over a new topic, covering a variety of words in topics like personal health, finance, and traveling as well as other aspects of daily life. Every class, we learned grammar and phrases, but we also learned cultures as well. I am convinced that the seniors had made great improvement. This is what has made teaching them so worthwhile and fulfilling. Their diligence helped me to realize that progress goes hand in hand with perseverance, that little steps can add up to great things. As my teaching sessions came to an end, I was left with a great impression that learning is something that happens throughout a lifetime, not just in a childhood.
Participating in this program deepened my understanding of what it means to serve our community. It was a rewarding experience, and I’m committed to continuing the volunteer work to make our community better.
Website Editor: Grace Yan
华府青年 CYOC 