Once Upon A Time
Jun 26th, 2008 by Don Ray
Once upon a time, a long long time ago (January 28, 2007), I wrote about taking on a commitment to help a young lady to pass the TOEFL examination. When I was first asked, if I would help, I had no idea what I was signing up for, because I did not understand what TOEFL was.
Withing the first few days of researching the subject, I had a better understanding of the mountain to be climbed. You can even see that, when I wrote my post last year, I thought the exercise was to prepare Natalie to work in another part of the world, which demanded English.
Actually, it was to prepare her to work on an advanced degree, in another part of the world, and the degree required adequate skill in English. With my research, I learned that TOEFL is an acronym for “Test of English as a Foreign Language” and is used by universities to evaluate if students can succeed in an English based curriculum.
Natalie needed to pass the TOEFL exam to qualify for a scholarship in a university in Switzerland that she wanted to attend. The exam needed to be passed before she could apply for the scholarship and that only allowed a couple of months to prepare.
Natalie had studied English in the secondary and college level courses that she had taken in Panama. However, as I soon learned, much of the training in English is marginal and many students leave with a limited ability to use conversational English, but they are no where close to being able to work at the College level in an English speaking university.
I spent a couple of weeks in evaluating how much and what would be required. With my evaluation, I had a better understanding of the problem. Color me overwhelmed. While I could provide texts an a PC for practice (and I did), it was going to require more in depth training to pass this exam. I could do part, but we would need to look for some specific training also.
What I thought was a short term project had turned into, at minimum, a year’s project by my evaluation. This was disappointing for a student to learn when they wanted to pass the TOEFL in a matter of weeks. None the less, it was a decision of take it and fail, or prepare and pass. The latter route would require time and dedication. That is the route that was taken.
I found an education center to assist in Natalie’s training. After a couple of months, I evaluated what was happening and decided that it was not going to be satisfactory and looked for another area. This time Natalie entered OTEIMA and a specialized program aimed at TOEFL.
With the structured classroom training in OTEIMA, practice texts and PC work here, and a years worth or only communicating with Natalie in ENGLISH, I felt that Natalie was ready to take the test. Natalie was not too sure, but to be able to apply for this year’s scholarship, she had no choice but to take it now.
This is the type of test that many have to take more than once to get the required score. Natalie went to Panama City and took the test. It is taken over the Internet and the agency that administers the test is in the US. Now the wait began.
A week went by and no results. Two weeks went by and still no results. I called the US and was told that the results would be posted on the Internet as soon as possible. Natalie is biting her fingernails. She felt that this was her one chance. The clock ticked. Another day passed. Another week passed.
While the waiting was going on Natalie was submitting all her paperwork to apply for the scholarship. Basically, everything was done and all that was needed was the passing score on the test. If the score was sufficient, Natalie would get the scholarship. If not, well I didn’t want to be around if that happened.
After a month of waiting, the results came in. NATALIE PASSED with the required score. Color me relieved.
This post is longer than most of my posts. However, this has been a long process. I am proud of Natalie for what she has accomplished. She will now have a year’s education in a highly regarded university in Switzerland with all expenses paid. Can you imagine what this means to a young Panamanian. The expense will be more money than many Panamanians make in several years. The experience will be priceless.
You did good my man. Very good indeed. You will get a front seat at the entrance to heaven and St Peter will be told to expect you. I believe that and other good deeds has a lot to do with our future. So I am guilty of picked up stranded fishworms and putting them off the sidewalks and back into the cool grass. I also turned my backyard into a wildlife sanctuary for the same reason. I don’t really expect it to happen but it would be nice if things like this do happen.
Thanks for your visit to my Brookville Daily Photo blog this morning. I hope you enjoyed my post today showing the baby rabbit eating the poppy leaves.
I also wrote a longer piece on my Better Blog Writing about my Mom and Dad. See if you like the writing style. It is popular among better blogs.
Last evening, it was almost dark, when one of the baby rabbits came up to our patio door and wanted in. I was flabbergasted but only took a picture and didn’t leave him come in the house.
I wanted you to know I stopped-in to repay your visit and leave a you a comment.
I enjoyed reading your blog post for today and I thought your photography was excellent.
Hi Abe. Thanks for dropping in and leaving a comment. I will stop by your other blogs.
Don Ray, that is one good story. You should be proud, like a papa. As we get older I find our definition of ‘our kids’ keeps growing and expanding.
Excellent news!!
I know everyone was really sweating it until the formal results were published.
Congratulations to you both!
dear don ray & natalie,
congrats to both of you!
natalie YOU GO GIRL!
this the type of story that breaks open my heart with joy!
thank you for sharing! ellen
Mary, Mike and Ellen.
I am obviously proud, elated, and relieved. This is a start of a new adventure for Natalie and I am pleased to have played a small part in it.
Hi Don:
This is a very inspiration post. Your guidance and dedication to this girl speaks very highly of you. English is not an easy language. I’m very proud of you and what you do in Panama.
Congratulations!
Omar.-
Hi Omar. Thanks for dropping in and leaving the comment and the kind words. I am just happy that the small role I played was of some benefit and that the final result came out as desired.
Congratulations! This means how committed were you both. Natalie, go ahead supported by our prayers. Cheers!
AS
Hi AS. Thanks for dropping in and taking the time to leave a comment.
Way to go Don & Natalie! This is the result of a great teamwork and dedicated and generous undertaking. I wish Natalie a wonderful trip and an enriching academic and personal experience in Switzerland. Don, you’ve definitely earned extra-large wings to Heaven!
Don,
“Actually, it was to prepare her to work on an advanced degree, in another part of the world, and the degree required adequate skill in English.”
And you thought that YOU could help…?
I keed! I keed!
Props to you and congrats to Natalie!
I gotta ask though: What will she be studying? You probably covered this a year ago, but I couldn’t read English back then.
Hi Lilia, Thanks for dropping in and leaving a comment. Actually Natalie can take all of the credit. She did the difficult work. All I did was provide some resources and talking exercise.
Dave, You are correct. It was foolish of me, but I have tried to do the impossible before. Natalie will be working on a Masters in marketing for tourism.
Kim and I are very happy for Natalie. We know she worked very hard to achieve this goal. We are proud to have known her this past year and really appreciate all her help. (And yours as well.) I really got a kick out of asking her if she had heard this or that American saying and then trying to explain them to her.
See you in mid July.
Hi Ron. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I will see you in July. God willing and the creek don’t rise.
Awesome news!!!!!! Wow, what an inspiring story. Now that she let you post her picture, maybe you can convince her to start a blog of her own so we can keep up with her future adventures!!! Congrats, Natalie!!!
Hmmmm. We will see. I think it is a good idea.