Philadelphia Summer Program Helps Refugees Conquer English
Fareed Hamraqul and his family left Afghanistan, fleeing the Taliban for Uzbekistan in 1992. Then, five months ago, they left home amid more unrest, this time ending up in Philadelphia. Hamraqul, who will be a junior at Northeast High School in September, now spends sweltering summer mornings soaking up his fifth language. The bright teen’s English is halting, but his message is clear.
“Every day, students help me, teachers help me,” Hamraqul said yesterday through a translator. “Thank God I am here.” Here is the Philadelphia School District’s summer refugee program at Northeast, one of four around the city. It’s a free, intense summer class designed for high school students who are new to the country or who want extra help with English.
For the last six years, many new immigrants have spent their summers learning English, making up credits, and working to feel more comfortable in an American classroom. The school district uses the word refugee loosely, and most often it is not referring to those who seek political asylum in the United States.
