comment: I work primarily with Afghan children ages 6-12, teaching them to read. There is not one way to summarize them. They entered the country within months of each other yet their reading abilities vary. 
  Many of the girls have never been in school before. Some girls are more advanced than the others, and I’ve noticed they have older siblings or parents who already had English skills. The boys skills are more advanced than the girls; and many indicate they had English instruction in Afghanistan. There are a few parents who have indicated they do not worry about their girls’ education but that seems to vary family to family. 
  None are literate in their home language. 
  I feel very privileged to be able to help them adapt to their new country, even if they’re here temporarily. Many indicate the desire to return home one day.