US Soldiers, Polish educators unite to enhance children's English skills

By Sgt. Brandon AndersonApril 30, 2015

US Soldiers, Polish educators unite to enhance children's English skills
1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Valdosta, Ga., native Sgt. James Sutton, a medic with Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, ensures a student of Drawsko Pomorskie Primary School correctly spells a phrase w... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
US Soldiers, Polish educators unite to enhance children's English skills
2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Newark, N.J., native Tiereef Kales, a unit supply specialist assigned to Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, talks to the students and faculty of Drawsko Pomorskie Primar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
US Soldiers, Polish educators unite to enhance children's English skills
3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Anna Gorczyco, an English teacher at the Drawsko Pomorskie Primary School, acts as a translator for the students and Fullerton, Calif., native Austin Fearnley, an infantryman assigned to Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
US Soldiers, Polish educators unite to enhance children's English skills
4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Newark, N.J., native Tiereef Kales, a unit supply specialist assigned to Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, answers questions for students of Drawsko Pomorskie Primary S... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
US Soldiers, Polish educators unite to enhance children's English skills
5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Westmoreland, N.Y., native Pvt. Ashley Hawins, a food service specialist with Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, assists students in making a poster comparing the U.S. a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
US Soldiers, Polish educators unite to enhance children's English skills
6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Fullerton, Calif., native Austin Fearnley, an infantryman assigned to Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, talks to the students of Drawsko Pomorskie Primary School's Engl... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP KONOTOP, Poland - School is meant to be a place of learning, and for Soldiers of Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, a lesson in Polish culture and hospitality was awaiting them when they were invited to the Drawsko Pomorskie Primary School April 27, 2015 to help the students practice their English.

The five Soldiers were broken into small groups and placed with classes studying the English language.

During the classes, the children asked the Soldiers about their lives back in the U.S., and how they were enjoying their time here in Poland.

Mariusz Andruszko, an educator for the school, said having the Soldiers in the classrooms is a huge benefit for the students as they are able to practice their English with native speakers.

"When I first started learning English through books and audiotapes my progress was limited, but these students are getting a great opportunity by having Soldiers speak with them," said Andruszko.

The students weren't the only ones gaining from this experience, as the Soldier's grasp of the Polish language was put to the test by having to fill in the gaps when the language barriers became apparent.

"At some points we had to ask the English-speaking teachers to help when our Polish skills had been exhausted," said Fullerton, California, native Pfc. Austin Fearnley, an Infantryman assigned to Headquarters Company.

Language barriers aside, Fearnley said he was impressed by the students' willingness to learn and by the materials the school had provided for the students.

Magola Koivow, a student at the school, said she liked having the Soldiers there, and that she was glad they came.

With the help of her English teacher Andruszko, Magola said she enjoyed learning from the Soldiers and hearing about their lives back in the U.S.

Sharing her enthusiasm, Valdosta, Georgia, native Sgt. James Sutton, a medic assigned to Headquarters Company, said being able to show the students there's more to U.S. Soldiers than just guys in tanks with guns was an enlightening experience all around.

"It's extremely rewarding to be invited by the school to speak English with the students," said Sutton. "They seemed to enjoy us just as much as we enjoyed teaching them."

Sutton said he was surprised how well they spoke English, but learned they had been learning English from a young age.

He said it was heartwarming to be so welcomed by the people of Drawsko and to know they were accepted as partners and allies, not only militarily but also in education.

"Seeing how they welcomed us makes being so far away from my family seem worthwhile," said Sutton, adding extra emphasis to the lunch provided by the school to the Soldiers.

Headmaster Luyna Jabionska, one of three at the school, had nothing but compliments for the Soldiers, saying having them come was good for the students and the school.

"This is a great opportunity for our kids to speak with native speakers of the English language," said Jabionska. "Being able to ask the Soldiers questions is something that enhances our normal English classes...Having them come here makes our English classes more attractive and fun for the students, and we look forward to having the Soldiers come back for another visit."