Literacy – Spanning North America :: Longmont CO :: Frederick Co MD :: Fort John BC

Literacy: Spanning North America

Intercambio

Help Immigrants to Learn English and Transform their Lives – The Live & Give Project

Longmont Observer: 9.16.2017

We believe that Longmont is safer and more prosperous when everyone can communicate! More than 1,300 immigrants in Longmont have worked to improve their lives with Intercambio’s English classes. Each week, our home teachers help adult immigrants learn and practice the skills they need to find better jobs, communicate with their children’s teachers, and be involved in the community. Your support can enable 27 adults to participate in our home classes and gain the skills to transform their families’ lives.

Both recent immigrants and long-term residents can be isolated by language and cultural barriers. Learning English, understanding cultural norms and forming personal connections helps immigrants to change their lives— and the lives of their families—for years to come. Learning English is essential, but immigrants also need the confidence to make mistakes while practicing English. English classes in the immigrant’s home help to build confidence for students who are not comfortable in a class setting, especially for those with limited formal education. These home classes, taught by community volunteers trained and supported by Intercambio staff, are also helpful for working parents and those with transportation barriers or difficult work schedules.

All Intercambio students use our “Interactive English” curriculum, designed to meet the specific needs of adult immigrants for real life skills and knowledge, including employment and job search preparation, financial literacy, cultural skills, housing, health, transportation, US laws and police, and participating in the school system.  READ MORE @

@LCFC3

Reading in unity: Literacy Council helps clients build language skills, confidence

Frederick News Post: 9.18.2017 by Cameron Dodd

When Young Sil Ryu started English lessons at the Literacy Council of Frederick County in 2015, she was shy. When listening to her tutor speak, Ryu kept her eyes toward the floor.

Ryu is originally from Seoul, South Korea, and has lived in Frederick for 25 years, interacting mostly with her husband and two children. At 53, she’s younger than Julie Heifetz, her tutor. Korean etiquette considers eye contact with an elder who is speaking impolite.

Now, after more than two years of individual tutoring through the Literacy Council, Ryu not only looks up when people speak, she watches Heifetz’s mouth to learn how to form the words.

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“When I first came to the United States, I was very shy to try to talk in English,” Ryu said. “I feel more confident [now].”

Ryu is one of many Frederick County residents who rely on local nonprofits offering services for immigrants and others seeking help with their English-language skills.  READ MORE @

@LOCfsj

Learning English, one phrase at a time

Literacy Society works to improve community interactions

Alaska Highway News: 9.20.2017 by Aleisha Hendry

Wahid Gerber is learning to speak English.

She’s a refugee from Ethiopia and has only been in Canada for a few months. On this sunny September day, she is working with Adam Kelderman, an instructor at the Fort St. John Literacy Society.

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Before coming to Canada, Gerber had very little skills in reading and writing, including in her own language, Tigrinya, which is a regional language in Ethiopia. Taking the classes at the literacy society will help her as she adjusts to life in Canada.

“It gives her the skills so she can access the world out there, anything from sending a letter to talking on the phone, buying a shirt—you need some degree of English so you understand responses,” Kelderman said.

Kelderman teaches eight English classes a week, ranging from total beginners like Gerber, to those ready to move on to a GED program. Students are from all over the world, including Brazil, Nigeria, Japan, Isreal, Iran, and Germany.

The literacy society is dedicated to promoting literacy in the community through programs and learning opportunities. The organization held an open house Sept. 13 to show the public what they do in the community.

“Literacy is not just reading and writing—it’s general communication with people and it's so critically important that it really does improve the interactions in the community, whether it be at work, at home, between family members. It increases that morale to be able to community effectively,” said executive director Jessica Kalman.  READ MORE @