Algorithm Project – Recent Immigrant interview

Sally Jernigan – Math 304

Interview with Amos

Age:  29

Country of Origin – Liberia:

 Liberia is on the northwest coast of Africa and is the oldest republic in Africa.   It is one of only two African countries never colonized by a European power.  Liberia’s modern political foundation was built by free blacks who sailed there from the United States in the early 19^th century.  There are sixteen indigenous tribes in Liberia and Amos’ ancestors are from the Gio tribe of the Mande language group.  His family has a farm in the country outside of Monrovia and he attended school in Monrovia.  Monrovia was the first American settlement and was named after U.S. President James Monroe.

 What is your primary language and do you speak any other languages?

 I was surprised to hear from Amos that Liberian Standard English is spoken in Liberia.  My surprise was due to the fact that Amos speaks English with a heavy African dialect accent.  He reminded me that ever since the settlers emigrated from America English has been spoken in Liberia, along with tribal dialects.  English is taught formally at the beginning of elementary school.  His family speaks the Mande language dialect of Gio from their tribe and this was his first language. 

 When did you come to the United States and why?

 Amos entered the U.S. under political asylum in August of 2000.  He explained to me that relations between Liberia’s indigenous people and the new settlers has always been strained and resulted in almost twenty years now of civil strife and warfare.  This escalated after a second revolt in 1989, and continuing into the 90’s, there has been political chaos, civil unrest, famine and violence.  Amos had been running for office as a member of the Free Democratic Party to restore a democratic political system when his life became endangered and he had to seek political asylum from the U.S. Embassy.  A few days later he was flown to New York City without any family or belongings, just the shirt off his back.  Thru the Methodist church, of which he had been a member in Liberia, he was able to take a bus to Sacramento where he lives with a host family while attending Heald College’s computer tech program.

 Do you plan to return to Liberia or to remain in the United States?

 Amos feels that he will remain in the United States for several years and try to establish a home base.  He said that he is glad that he has ended up on the West coast as the climate is similar to the African coast of Liberia which has a Mediterranean-like climate.  Starting over has been difficult since he was not able to plan or bring anything which would help him.  His parents, brother and sister still live in Liberia and he does not know when he will be able to see them again as it would be dangerous for him to return to his homeland.  He is beginning to work on establishing some type of organization to communicate with family and friends in Liberia and assist them from America.  Amos will graduate from the computer tech program at Heald in 2003 and hopes to then work in Sacramento.    At this time, Amos is not sure when or if he will apply for U.S. citizenship. 

How is the educational system set up in Liberia?

 Because Liberia’s political foundation and development began with settlers from America, their educational system, along with their unit of measurement, models the American system.   The public school system is the predominant system.  Their school year also models the American system and covers a nine month span.  It used to be the same as America and they would be out of school from June to August.  However, this is the rainy season and since students are expected to help their parents with their farming while they are off, they changed the school year to April to December which is a productive farming period of time.  The school day goes from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm and the only break is a 45 minute lunch break. 

 During the school year they attend five days a week until the 11^th and 12^th grade at which time they also attend school on Saturdays.   By 12^th grade, students can choose to enroll in a private school which are expensive and require entrance exams or athletic scholarships to attend.  A key difference between American and Liberian schools is that only the teachers/instructors had textbooks.  The students were required to take notes for their own records and homework but did not have textbooks to use themselves while in the classroom.

 There are public and private colleges in Liberia.  Amos had attended a private college, The Zion University College, which is affiliated with the African Methodist church.  He had been enrolled in the criminal justice program, or the “Rule of Law” as he put it, before becoming active with the Free Democratic Party and helping to reestablish a democracy for Liberia.  He had also studied computers while in college and said that he is pleased to be working toward an associate’s degree in computer tech as he feels there will be more opportunities for him with this experience.

How is mathematics instructed in Liberia and is there a particular order for learning math?

Math is taught throughout elementary and high school daily.  He noted that basic math skills are learned thru vigorous repetition, drill and practice, especially since there are no textbooks. and said this is how they learned to memorize the math facts (i.e. multiplication tables).  Amos also noted that the extra day of study on Saturdays in the 11^th and 12^th grade allowed students to concentrate on math subjects as well as other subjects.   Liberia follows the American system and math is taught in a sequential order for geometry, algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.   He wasn’t sure what I was asking at first, but then noted that they are taught the same order of operations for solving problems, he just didn’t know of any special names or tricks for remembering the operation order.  Amos did not take any calculus courses, even in college, although he said calculus could be an elective in the 12^th grade private school system.   

Are there any other points about learning math, either in America or Liberia, which you’d like to make?

Amos wanted to point out that the Liberian educational system is based on the American school system but he does not feel that it is the same quality of education.  This is because of a lack of funding and government administration resulting in problems such as a scarcity of textbooks, etc.   He did not feel that there is an overemphasis or rigorous attention on math instruction in Liberia.  Also, he admitted that his math skills have gotten quite rusty, most likely from lack of use and dependence on his calculator, and he had really wanted to use his calculator for these sample problems.   I assured him that myself and many, many American feel exactly the same way!