Suzanne - literacy programs

[Guest guest]

Thank you for sharing this information with me, Suzanne. It's wonderful

that you have volunteered in that way. I've been thinking of doing

something along these lines for a very long time.

My mother and her family came to this country in the late 40s and didn't

know English when the boat arrived in New York, so I have a soft spot

for ESL programs of any kind. That is actually the kind of literacy

project I was thinking of getting involved in. We have many immigrants

in our area and there is a waiting list for people who need a tutor.

Many people can't even get a job or drive because they lack the

necessary English skills. I guess I better stop thinking about it and do

it! Thanks for the nudge.

Hope you are doing well,

Re: [ ] Just talking

> Hi (and Iris!)

>

> I graduated from college with a degree in Elementary Education.

Although I

> never taught school formally, I have certainly used my education in

many

> forms over the years. For the last 5 or 6 or maybe 7? years I have

been an

> adult literacy tutor. It is a wonderful undertaking, very rewarding,

and

> there are so many people who really need help! I find it startling

even

> now, how many folks just can't read or can only barely read. There is

also

> a program to help people learn English who speak another language. It

is

> called, not surprising, English as a Second Language. I never got

involved

> with that program, but always thought it looked interesting.

>

> I find, unfortunately, since the advent of RA that my fatigue level is

such

> that it is a monumental effort to continue to meet with my student. We

meet

> now for an hour, once a week, at 5:00 pm, right after I get off work.

I'm

> lucky that we meet at a library right next door to my office. Still,

I

> don't have the heart to quit, the need is so great. So, I say to both

of

> you, go for it!! And I hope you find it as rewarding as I have over

the

> years.

>

> Suzanne