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CIVIC ENGAGEMENT Moving from Exclusion to Belonging 243 able to participate.1176 For those who do participate in English language classes, it is a place of connection and learning beyond just language. English language classes were regularly cited as a welcoming place for new immigrants to connect to the community.1177 One school in Minneapolis generated unanimous praise from its students.1178 A woman said, “This school is like a second family, a second house. I have had the opportunity to meet people from other countries. My fellow students encourage me, there are good teachers, good students. The teachers and staff here do not just worry about the language, it is about more. They help you with everything. They connect me with resume help, job application help, bus schedules, and stuff. The teachers here are very good and patient.”1179 Another man described his English language teacher as “like my American mother. She is a very good friend.”1180 One person remembered the kindness of his middle school English language teacher. He says, “She came to my house and she also asked me to look after her bunnies while she was gone. I was surprised she trusted me so much. She was like an extended family member.”1181 Many communities are conveying civic information to immigrants through EL classes.1182 In one class, the teacher provided a lesson on cleaning products, after learning that one family had been using a drain-cleaning product as body soap because they did not understand the label.1183 In another case, the EL teacher arranged for a family about to have a baby to tour the hospital ahead of time, to get familiar with the location.1184 English language teachers often learn about problems their students are anticipating before anyone else. One teacher related a problem with school buses that was impacting her Hmong students.1185 “One woman was concerned about the bus not stopping where it was supposed to for the kindergartners. She called me one morning when the bus did not pick up the kids and I told her she should call the principal. I helped her figure out what to say, but I wanted her to do it on her own. 1176 Interview 110; Interview 137; Interview 145; Conversation 24. 1177 Conversation 2; Conversation 8. 1178 Conversation 25. 1179 Conversation 25. 1180 Interview 1. 1181 Interview 35. 1182 Interview 55; Interview 64; Interview 100. 1183 Interview 64. 1184 Interview 55. 1185 Interview 55. My English language teacher is like my American mother. She is a very good friend.”