Literacy: Spanning North America
Coronavirus Pushes Redlands
Literacy Program Online
Before social distancing was
required in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, adult learners in
the Redlands Adult Literacy
Program met weekly with their volunteer tutors at A. K. Smiley
Public Library or program-approved learning sites at Clement Middle School,
Family Services Association and the Redlands Community Center. The
tutor-learner teams worked shoulder-to-shoulder to help the learners improve
their reading and writing skills.
On March 16, the library was
closed to the public due to the virus. The literacy program faced the major
challenge of finding new ways for tutors to assist learners in meeting their
literacy goals, while complying with the governor’s social distancing
guidelines. Additionally, the request for literacy assistance grew, as 25% of
adult learners were laid off due to the economic downturn.
Tutors and learners have met
the social distancing challenge with innovation and creativity by using apps,
online computer resources, and phones to meet. In fact, over 50 adult learners
continue to meet with their tutors, participate in the family literacy program,
use online software independently, and participate in the learner-led book club
to improve their literacy skills.
Readability Consensus
Based on (7) readability
formulas:
Grade Level: 12
Reading Level: difficult to
read.
Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old
(Twelfth graders)
Indy Reads Offering Free High
School Equivalency Diploma Classes
'Indy
Reads' announced Tuesday it will be adding free High School Equivalency
(HSE) classes to its adult literacy program.
The Indiana HSE is an
alternative for earning a high school diploma, which was formerly known as
'GED.'
The Indianapolis book store has
offered an abundance of English language classes and workforce training
programs for illiterate adults for years.
“It has become clear now, more
than ever, that many of our students need to earn a High School Equivalency
diploma or HSE diploma,” Indy Reads CEO Ryan King said. “With the economy
reopening, the competition for jobs will be fierce. We want to help make sure
those that do not have a high school diploma aren’t left behind.”
Over 86,000 Marion County
residents show a need for higher literacy levels, according to Indy Reads. And
a dramatic increase in unemployment due to the pandemic in the current job
market means higher competition for fewer jobs.
READ
MORE ➤➤
Readability Consensus
Based on (7) readability
formulas:
Grade Level: 11
Reading Level: fairly difficult
to read.
Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old
(Tenth to Eleventh graders)
COVID: 19: Learning English Has
Become More Challenging During Pandemic Shutdown
Learning a new language is
challenging enough.
But for thousands of immigrants
in London, the COVID-19 pandemic has made the task that much harder, forcing
newcomers, teachers and service providers to reimagine teaching in an age of
social distancing and online learning.
“Our priority was always to
stay connected with the families, let them know we’re here for them,” said Alma
Gordon, principal at the Centre
for Lifelong Learning, which has classes in English as a
second language for more than 800 students.
“Let’s keep English in their
world.”
As classrooms closed amid the
virus crisis, educators had to turn to any means available — things like
WhatsApp chats or phone calls — to connect with students.
But some of those students lack
access to computers or cellphones with internet service or simply lack the
knowledge to use those technologies.
“Teachers, they stepped up and
they met the students wherever they were,” said Gordon, who has heard students
going to coffee shops to get access to Wi-Fi and continue their education. READ MORE ➤➤
Readability Consensus
Based on (7) readability
formulas:
Grade Level: 12
Reading Level: fairly difficult
to read.
Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old
(Twelfth graders)
The Literacy Center Launches
‘Read for the People’ Project
The Literacy Center is asking for community
members to help read the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence as
part of their new “Read for the People” program.
To take part, all you need is a
way to record your voice and a reason to read.
The center is seeking volunteers of all backgrounds record separate
parts of each text, to produce a recording of the entire Constitution and
Declaration of Independence that highlights the diversity of the United States
of America, and the fact that we are all members of the same human species. READ
MORE ➤➤
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