Literacy – Spanning the US :: Kenosha WI :: Tacoma WA :: Salisbury MD

Literacy: Spanning the U.S.     

@KenoshaLiteracy

Kenosha Literacy Council: We Believe In The Power Of Language

Kenosha News: 11.03.2018 by John Hogan, Board President-Kenosha Literacy Council

In the film “Before Sunrise,” the character Céline recites a story to her new friend Jesse after recently meeting him on a train to Vienna. She tells Jesse of a time when she was traveling in a foreign country, and the sense of peace that came over her from not being able to read anything. The noise of advertisements and newspapers disappeared, melding beautifully into a moment’s anonymity and the opportunity to just be.

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The truth is that a vacation from your own language can be just that. A vacation. But during most of our lives there is a very real and very pressing need to be fluent in the language of people who surround us. There are emergencies — like bee stings — but also regular, day-to-day moments: purchasing groceries, asking for directions, speaking to your child’s teacher, applying for a job and so on.

You may not realize that there are thousands of adults right here in Kenosha who struggle with basic English — some who are learning it as a second language and some who were born here but didn’t finish their schooling. And this is why the staff and volunteer tutors of the Kenosha Literacy Council work tirelessly to educate adults who need help in learning to read, write and speak English. There is always something happening at the KLC!

The Kenosha Literacy Council — with three employees and more than 200 volunteers — coordinates six different ongoing programs that reach nearly 600 adult learners. Last year, we provided literacy services to students from 40 different countries.  READ MORE >>

@TCH1910

Less Than 10% Are Able To Comprehend State Ballot Language

Ferndale News: 11.03.2018 by P.B. Smith – Letter to the Editor

According to The Literacy Network of Washington (LNW), 35% of adult citizens in Washington function on the two lowest possible literacy levels, meaning they are unable to perform even the most basic reading and writing tasks. They can sign their names, but little else.

The LNW reports that state funding levels make adult literacy education available to just 5.4 of illiterate adults in Washington have no access to educational services that would help improve their literacy and employability.

LNW also says 51% of Washington State employers complain they cannot fill all their available jobs because they are unable to find enough people to hire who can actually read and write.

In spite of all this, Washington State managed to compile a ballot for the 2018 midterm elections that, according to ballotpedia.org, has language so obtuse and complicated that it would require both a college degree AND two years of postgraduate study (in other words, a Masters Degree) in order to be able to fully understand it and vote according to your actual preferences.  READ MORE >>

@wicolibrary

Project READ Helps Dozens Of Residents Find Jobs, Learn Basic Literacy Skills

WMDT: 11.02.2018 by Brandon Bossert

Project READ was front and center at the Wicomico Civic Center honoring its volunteer tutors and the adult learners who have found personal success through the program.

Over the past two years, Project READ has helped those in the area with reading, writing, math and basic computer skills, at any level.  WATCH 02:13