Hunter College’s diversity brings about a shift in the ways students and professors connect.
At Hunter, there are students from many different cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds. Communication plays an important role in the Hunter community.
Although the Hunter community may not think or even notice it, there is a huge language barrier between students and the school itself. Students with different circumstances have difficulty learning at the same pace as others.
“If they are speaking difficult words it is hard for me to understand,” says Maliha Siddiquey, a sophomore majoring in human biology.
Siddiquey was born and raised in Bangladesh. When Siddiquey was in high school, she applied to colleges in the United States. At the time Siddiquey did not speak fluent English but knew she wanted to experience an education that would change her life. Being that Siddiquey’s first language is Bengali it was difficult for her to understand her professors. “I do understand when the professor is lecturing from the slides, but sometimes it’s difficult when he is speaking to get the accent,” she says. Most if not all professors tend to use advanced vocabulary in their lectures. Siddiquey says her vocabulary is not the best and she finds it hard to understand the professors.
Most students don’t feel comfortable enough to constantly interrupt the class and ask for clarification. Siddiquey says she googles words she hears during the lectures to get a better understanding. “I would try to speak with the professor in person because they are nice and will help you out,” Siddiquey says.
Israt Tonni is a sophomore majoring in human biology. Her first language is also Bengali. Tonni was quiet and shy when she first came to study at Hunter. Tonni was given math and science courses which she loved because it was easy for her.
This semester Tonni is enrolled in a religion class but she’s confused when the professor is speaking. “It is too hard for me to concentrate in that class,” Tonni says. Students who do not speak English well, struggle in their writing-intensive courses. In subjects such as English and history where the material is very dense, Tonni and Siddiquey require further understanding to set themselves up for success.
The Office of Accessibility can help students with a disability to ensure a fulfilling learning experience. They are located in the North building room 300–open Monday- Friday 9-5pm.
Coumba Diallo, a sophomore in human biology, is starting her first semester at Hunter. She is hard of hearing. Diallo says she is given ASL-appropriate accommodation such as an interpreter in class. She communicated in her interview by reading lips and responding verbally. Diallo can read lips as a way to understand everyone. “When the professor turns their back, I don’t understand what’s going on,” Diallo says. She would then have to interrupt and ask for the information to be repeated and explained. Diallo says she used to feel a little embarrassed because of the constant interrupting she had to do to understand her professors. Diallo states, “Right now I am not embarrassed because I learned how to advocate for myself.” Despite the challenges she faces, Diallo is determined to be successful in her studies.
It is challenging for students with a language barrier to meet other students and make friends. They do not feel comfortable speaking to others. Although Maliha, Israt, and Diallo are discovering their voice, many more students struggle with finding their own.
