Poetry

Language Instruction for New Canadians Practicum

by Eric Abalajon

After the break, Sally came back wearing a new outfit. She was greeted with applause. A black blazer, hair tied up, printed script in one hand, scissors in the other. She talked about her career as a hairdresser, working with the celebrities in Seoul and even travelling to the US for big events. She handed out pictures with her boss, with pop stars, the branch in a posh district where she used to work. She misses her profession so bad. She was flipping the scissors like a gunslinger. She is working on her English in order to apply for a permit here. The front row was holding their breath. Maybe a loan in the future for her own salon. It will be the beacon of Korean style trends to Toronto. The teacher I’m observing said template lines like amazing, good luck, and, very good. She looked towards me, maybe I have advice to give, since I’m also an immigrant starting over. I was only able to come up with be patient and things will work out. Not as profound as they anticipated, and probably heard before, or read in a welcome brochure. I wanted to say, Sally if you want to practice your passion here you can always work under the table.

Appeared in Issue Spring '22