On one side, a generation of Cambodian elder (sometime not always very old) who have lived in the USA for more or less time (can be 20 years, can be just a few years), but who speak small English as their professional and social relations probably remain in the Cambodian community. Learning English is a necessity…
On the other side, a generation of young Americans from Cambodian descent who are not always skilled in Khmer language and can not talk or understand their grandparents, aunts, uncles… Knowing Khmer would give so much benefit.
In a weekly class of ESL (English Second Language) for Cambodian people, in the building of “United Cambodian Community” on Anaheim Street, Long Beach.
Elder Burgogne, 19, from Arizona, one of the two teachers in the ESL class, is from the Mormon Church, can speak and write Cambodian well, even though he has never been in the country… 
Cambodian native Bryant Sokphanarith Ben (pictured above left), a community activist, is the teacher for the weekly Cambodian class at the Long Beach Public Library. He has lived under the Khmer Rouge regime and consider crucial to share with the younger generation not only the knowledge of the language but also the understanding of what the older generation has been through.
Johndee San (pictured above left), 12, from Cambodian descent, comes at the Khmer class every week. “I want to be able to understand what my grandparents say, so I can talk with them more…”
Cambodian native Lance Salin (pictured above left), 30, has left Cambodia at the age of 3. Still he is curious about the history, the language and the culture of his country. He comes every week to the Cambodian language class and usually takes extra time when the class is finished to talk more with his teacher.. .
See more stories about the Cambodian Americans in the archives of this blog! ..
