Literacy – Spanning the US :: Mesa Co CO :: Bangor ME :: Sugar Land TX :: Somerset Co NY

Literacy: Spanning the U.S.

Library tutors introduce people to English

Grand Junction Sentinel: 10.28.2017 by Katie Langford

Grand Junction resident Valerie Domet wants to volunteer as a literacy tutor at Mesa County Libraries because she knows what it's like to feel isolated.

"When I was younger I stuttered really bad and had a hard time communicating," she said. "I found it kind of isolates you, and it's the same thing with not knowing the language."

Domet was one of eight people who attended a training on Saturday to become a literacy tutor and help non-English speakers learn the language.

James Price, head of literacy services at the library, said while the literacy program has existed for more than 30 years it has grown exponentially in the past 18 months. Student enrollment and volunteer participation have both nearly doubled, from 50 to 100 tutors and from 100 to 200 students. Price said the growth is due to increased awareness and actively working to tell people about the program.

"Our tutors are our greatest ambassadors, because they come and make a connection with a student from a culture that they have no experience with outside of these walls. Tutors go tell their friends about spending Thursdays with their Cambodian friends and teaching them English," Price said.  READ MORE >>

@LitVolBangor

Statewide Conference Sponsored By Literacy Volunteers Of Bangor

WABI: 10.28.2017

Addressing educational strategies for those working with adults, was the goal of the 6th annual statewide conference sponsored by Literacy Volunteers of Bangor.

Tutors and educators from all over the state attend seminars that address the best practices, as well as strategies for adults struggling with literacy.

Organizers say the event helps prepare educators.

"36 million adults in the U.S. don't read, write, or do basic math above a third grade level . . .  WATCH VIDEO

@ftbendliteracy

Creating a better life through education

Fort Bend Herald: 11.01.2017 by Diana Nguyen

Meena Desai remembers when she moved from India to the United States and the only English words she knew were “yes, “OK,” “no” and “thank you.”

Paying for gas, shopping for groceries, meeting neighbors on the sidewalk was nerve wracking, the 55-year-old mother of three recalled.

Help came by way of the Literacy Council of Fort Bend, where she joined dozens of other non-English speakers improve their lives one word at a time.

In the 30 years it has been in existence, the Literacy Council of Fort Bend has improved the literacy of thousands of people — foreign-born citizens new to the country and native-born Americans who need to brush up on their English or earn their GED to get ahead in life.

Located at 12530 Emily Ct. in Sugar Land, the Literacy Council has various classrooms ranging in size, where adult students can learn basic literacy, ESL and computer skills, or prepare for their citizenship exam or obtain their GED.

In a few of the rooms, a student will learn one-on-one with a tutor. In others, an instructor will be teaching in the front of the class of a mixture of students from different corners of the world.  READ MORE >>

@Litsomerset

Author John Gill Helps Celebrate Literacy Volunteers Fall Soiree

Tap Into: 11.01.2017 by Audrey Blumberg

Language is so important to him, and he believes it is a way of forging a connection between different cultures, while creating opportunities – which is why author John Freeman Gill said he felt proud to be invited to speak at the recent Literacy Volunteers of Somerset County Fall Soiree.

The soiree, held Oct. 6, is an annual event to raise money for the non-profit organization, which pairs tutors with non-native English speakers to help them learn the language.

Gill, a former “New York Times” reporter who recently released his first book “The Gargoyle Hunters,” said it was wonderful for him to support a program that teaches new readers of English.

“I spent five years on the book, and I believe strongly in it and trying to get it into the hands of those I feel will be moved by it,” he said. “There was an added attraction here of having written a novel and caring so much about literature. Books meant so much to me growing up, language is so important to me.”

“This is a program that serves as a gateway to bring new speakers and readers of English into our language,” he added.

The soiree was held at the Bridgewater Township Library, which was turned into New York City for the evening, and included food, drinks and prizes, all to support the worthy cause.

“Every year, we work closely with our partners at the Somerset County Library System to co-host the fall soiree, which directly benefits LVSC’s free literacy programs for adults,” said Aimee Lam, executive director of Literacy Volunteers.   READ MORE >>