I am a Junior in High School and I recently came across an opportunity for a three week Arabic semi-immersion beginner program that my state offers. I have applied and have been accepted. After I take this, I want more experience. I live in a middle of nowhere college town surrounded by farmland and there aren't any opportunities for me to take more Arabic classes here.

I spoke with my mother, who is a preschool coordinator for "at risk" children, if she knew any native arabic speakers who would be willing to teach me. I presumed she would know if there were any because I had heard her talk about the arabic speaking children before. Yesterday, she did a home visit with a couple who moved here about a year ago from a war torn area of Iraq. They have basically no money and they work at one of the numerous turkey processing factories in my area. These factories are pretty much the only job that ESL people come to the area for. The couple lives in subsidized housing. The women knows English, but knows little about reading and writing. She said she would help me with my Arabic if I helped her in writing english.

She is EXTREMELY sweet. I'm sure if you work with ESL people you know how grateful foreigners can be. They are so happy that there are no bombs and no gunfights. When my mom came to visit they were so excited to have someone in their home that they brought her the best food they have. The women told my mom that sometimes she just sits and cries because they have no friends here.

Anyway, I'm seriously considering her offer. I wont have any other way to retain my knowledge of Arabic without applying it. And I doubt they can afford to take a real class in writing. I really dont know anything on what programs for them are available, but i'm sure they cost something.

I want your opinion on what I should do and how I would go about teaching her if I accepted. I obviously have no experience teaching since I am in High School but neither does she. I plan on asking my english and latin teachers if they have any advice and if there are any unused grammar books I might be able to borrow.

I want honest answers, and if you have any questions that would help you answer better, please ask!