In the summer days of July at Dewey, a special classroom buzzes with excitement and learning. Unlike the usual image of students behind desks, the learners in this class are school security guards, janitors, supervisors, and support staff, all attentively studying English. Even more surprisingly, the teachers leading the class are 11th-grade students from class 11Orlando. Instead of taking a break and recharging for the upcoming school year, these students have chosen to dedicate their time to developing and running School After School—a free English course specifically designed for Dewey’s support staff and on-campus contractors.
The idea for the project was sparked by a chance encounter. When Uyên Như (11Orlando) witnessed a Korean student struggling to communicate with a janitor through gestures to ask for classroom cleaning assistance, she couldn’t help but reflect. Due to the language barrier, the two were unable to understand each other. “I wanted to create an English class that offers a friendly, supportive environment where our staff can feel more confident, respected, and better integrated into a multicultural workplace. I also hoped it could be a bridge to help us students connect more deeply with the dedicated support team at school,” Uyên Như shared.
Within just a month, Uyên Như successfully rallied her classmates to bring the project to life—from communication planning to designing a practical and accessible curriculum. She also worked closely with the school to invite foreign teachers to co-teach in alternating sessions, giving learners greater opportunities to practice real-life English conversation and improve their communication skills in everyday work settings.
Directly leading the class, both Uyên Như and Trung Kiên were moved by the learners’ determination. “Though a bit hesitant at first, the staff quickly adapted to the learning pace. They weren’t afraid to practice pronunciation, took notes diligently, and stayed highly engaged. We believe that age is never a barrier to learning a language. It’s never too late to start learning. It’s a process of daily accumulation—exactly the spirit of lifelong learning that Dewey promotes.”
Despite a busy and packed summer schedule, the students say this has been the most fulfilling time for them. It was rewarding to witness the learners’ daily progress, and heartwarming to receive their sincere gratitude. “At Dewey, I’ve learned that a community project doesn’t have to begin with grand ambitions. Positive impact can start from small, meaningful actions rooted in the community we live in every day. We hope that the knowledge we gain at Dewey will not only serve us individually but also help us spread goodness right here at the school we call home,” shared Trung Kiên.
