The English-Speaking Union

Murray Hill Neighbors’ Stories

By Sandy Driesen, Murray Hill Neighbors’ Stories Committee

I recently made a decision to get involved with the organization the English-Speaking Union. I’ve been a Big Apple Greeter for over 20 years and have loved giving tours to people from all over the world. The tours were mostly “off the beaten track.” I’ve met so many wonderful people. I’ve been emailing this lovely couple from Great Britain, Judd and Dom, for over 17 years. They are like family to me. However, doing the tours was always very hectic and required a lot of walking. As much as I loved it and didn’t want to stop, I realized that my body wasn’t able to sustain the demanding pace. So, I discovered the English-Speaking Union, where I get the same joy of meeting people from all over the world, and telling them about New York City (now their new home), and sharing my love of New York in a classroom!  Not very taxing at all.

My designated day is Tuesday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. We start the session where all tutors and pupils sit around in a circle, and we choose a topic. Students get a chance to talk to the class and express their thoughts. The subjects range from “What did you do this weekend?” to “Tell us about yourself,” etc. This gives the students a chance to express themselves and practice their English. The students are from all over the world, and they have some basic English language knowledge. Some students are asylum seekers and refugees from Ukraine, Russia, China, South America, etc.

My students are such lovely people. Jing Liu from China, Vivian from Vietnam, and Nurdan from Turkey. I’ve introduced Nurdan, who is a very talented fashion designer, to a friend who works at Pratt. I’ve tried to help all my students in getting them connected with anyone I know who could be of some help.

Another student, Soosan (Susan) is from Iran. She had an appointment to meet her son after class. Instead of her staying in the classroom by herself, I invited her to come to my house and wait there. My simple act of kindness meant so much to her, and she wrote a beautiful email to me. It warmed my heart.

Since the English-Speaking Union is in Murray Hill on East 39^th Street, I decided to arrange a local tour of our neighborhood. We first sat around, and I gave them a short history and description of the four sites I planned to take them to: The Chrysler Building, Grand Central Terminal, the New York Public Library, and then finish off at Bryant Park. My feeling is that “the more you know, the more interesting it is” — so I prepared some facts and dates for these wonderful sites in our neighborhood.

Also, I thought it’d be fun to teach them a couple of “Yiddish” words — such as “mensch.” I enjoy improvising the lesson. It was endearing to hear my Chinese pupil say “mensch” and know the meaning.

I hope to give the class a special presentation on more New York City things — such as “Tin Pan Alley” and the Great American Songbook. When a student told me that I inspire her, I replied, “It’s just the opposite. You all inspire me! How brave you all are to move to a new country, not knowing the customs, finding apartments, and navigating your new life!”  Very inspiring!

This is the story about the English-Speaking Union of the United States:

The English-Speaking Union (ESU) of the United States was created to fulfill a mission. It was formally organized in the United States in 1920, two years after the establishment of its counterpart in Britain, the ESU of the British Commonwealth, and arose from the conviction of its founder, Sir Evelyn Wrench and a group of like-minded American and British friends, that maintenance of the close personal and national ties forged during World War I was necessary for the preservation of peace. Sir Evelyn firmly believed that given the opportunity to know one another personally, people who shared a common language would soon discover that they also shared similar values, whatever their differences in nationality or background. Over its century of achievement, the ESU has regularly recast itself in response to the changing context of American society and interests. Entering into its second century, the English-Speaking Union is dedicated to increasing its national and international leadership in education and exchange.

For additional information about the English-Speaking Union, please visit their website at https://www.esuus.org/newyork/.