Marilyn Place, Fli volunteer for  5 years:

How did you come to volunteer here? I had worked for the telephone company and saw first hand how difficult it was for people with limited English abilities to do business. When I retired I saw the RIFLI request for volunteers in the newspaper and felt it was an opportunity to help newcomers to this country become confident and independent.

What do you like best about volunteering for RIFLI? The atmosphere is relaxed enough that if the students have a special problem come up, it’s possible to leave the planned lesson and assist them in this special need.

Tell us a favorite classroom story: About 3 years ago I had in the intermediate class a young woman from China who was very shy. When I asked a question I could hear her whisper the answer when many other students had no idea how to respond. I would say "I hear the right answer" and she’d speak louder and smile. It wasn’t long before she arrived in class smiling and ready to help the other students with their homework. Her husband who had come to the US as a child, was pleased that she had become confident enough to talk with some of his friends who only spoke English. The RIFLI classes let her make mistakes and learn without fear of anyone making fun of her. Now she says her children prefer to speak only English and she’s become a fan of many American TV shows.

Tell us one thing about you that we probably don’t know: I’m a "chocoholic." I love anything chocolate flavored. Also I enjoy studying Spanish. That gives me a good idea of the problems my students face attempting to speak English with limited skills.

What is your favorite book and why? I don’t have the chance to read much these days. Mainly I try to keep up with current events by reading the newspaper.

Barbara Grogan, Fli volunteer for 6 years:

How did you come to volunteer here? I saw an ad in the Providence Journal under Cranston News.

What do you like best about volunteering for RIFLI? I thoroughly enjoy being able to help women from various countries to know and understand our country. It’s very rewarding to me.

Tell us a favorite classroom story: Almost all of my students are really eager to learn (or they wouldn’t be there). I don’t really have a favorite story to tell. Each student is so very unique and yet, each student is the same.

Tell us one thing about you that we probably don’t know: My husband (now deceased) and I had a real passion for travel to many many countries around the world. We did not do the "normal" travel things-but always found adventure in being with the people in unfamiliar countries. We discovered that all people are basically the same no matter where one travels.

What is your favorite book? Probably "Travels with Charley", by John Steinbeck because it opened new ideas of travel in the USA.

Linda Dailey, Fli volunteer for 5 years:

How did you come to volunteer here? Louise Moulton is a sister of a friend of mine and she told me about the program.

What do you like best about volunteering for RIFLI? 1. Learning about life around the world. 2. Helping students to understand English in order to be comfortable in this country under most circumstances. 3. Finding out how very much alike we are when it comes to our children and our dreams for them.

Tell us a favorite classroom story: Reading and discussing excerpts from Franz Kafka’s "Metamorphasis" to the advanced group and working our way through to an understanding of the story.

Tell us one thing about you that we probably don’t know: I’m a vegetarian and play classical guitar.

What is your favorite book and why? Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand. Gives a whole new slant on how to be successful-always work hard and never make excuses.