EAT, LAUGH, LEARN ELL COOKING CLASS, SEACBEC CLASE DE COCINA DE ELL, SEACBEC

Now this is what I call a school lunch!

“Turnabout is fair play” is a phrase that is often heard in many situations.  In a recent ELL cooking class at SEACBEC, turnabout became the norm as the students became teachers and demonstrated traditional Mexican dishes for staff members and Warren High School’s Family and Consumer Science class, with teacher, Ms. Wanda Jordan.  The ELL Class instructor is Mrs. Janet Harton, Adult Education Paraprofessional.

Formerly focusing on basic recipes and standard measurements, the ELL class enjoyed a definite change in pace in their last lesson.  In preparation for the cooking demonstration, the ESL class, (English as a Second Language), participated in a class field trip to several Mexican stores in town, as well as a local grocery store and a retail/variety store. Mrs. Gina Woodard, ESL teacher, and Mrs. Dinora Castillo, Adult Education Paraprofesssional, conducted the outing, along with Mrs. Harton.  The class showed staff members the diverse products available in our town that are used in traditional Hispanic recipes.  Some items are only available in the Mexican stores, while other items are now available in Warren’s local grocery and retail stores.  The class looked at varieties of peppers and other produce, handmade tortillas, an array of traditional spices, and Mexican bakery goods.

Prior to the class demonstration, ESL/ELL students had to create recipes for all their dishes and translate them into English.  This was a very time-consuming and challenging activity.  The most difficult part of the process was coming up with the exact measurements needed for the ingredients.  ELL estudiante, Rosa Chávez, dijo que "Nosotros no medimos, solo lo hacemos.” (ELL student, Rosa Chavez, said “We don’t measure, we just know.”)  Copies of the recipes, in both Spanish and English, were provided to all attending the demonstration.    

During the ELL cooking class demonstration, participants were treated to Jarritos fruit drinks, a traditional Mexican fruit salad, and buñuelos, a fried, tortilla-like dessert covered in a sweet syrup.  ELL class members made pork and chicken tamales, and each attendee had the opportunity to try out the methods used, and hand-formed their own tamales.  Pan roasted tomatillos and peppers were made into salsa, and offered to participants accompanied by chicharrones de harina or duros wheels, a chip-like snack made with flour.  Spanish rice and ensalada (salad) with lime wedges completed the entrees.  ELL class members, with help from Mrs. Castillo, conversed with class participants during the demonstration, showing off their English speaking skills.  Mrs. Jonalyn Reep, SEACBEC Director, also attended and participated in the class.

Staff members and the visiting high school class thoroughly enjoyed both the cooking demonstration and trying all of the Mexican dishes.  This experience definitely gave the class participants a new appreciation for traditional Mexican food, when considering the preparation and time that it takes for homemade tamales and other Mexican dishes.  The class was very educational, and the food prepared was very enjoyable.

The ELL cooking class is presented in conjunction with the ESL class, Adult Education program, at SEACBEC, Southeast Arkansas Community Based Education Center, and is a free service to Adults residing in Bradley County.  Those interested in becoming a part of the ELL cooking class, or other Adult Education services, may contact Mrs. Ladonna Mathur, Intake Specialist, SEACBEC at (870) 226-6920.