Azusa Library ▬ Cathay Reta Discusses Her Career In Adult Literacy

Cathay Reta Discusses Her Career In Adult Literacy

Azusa Adult Literacy 

Literacy Update: Winter 2020

Cathay managed the Adult Literacy program for 5 years at the Azusa City Library. She has left a mark on our program with the addition of the Grassroots ESL and Inspired Citizenship programs. Cathay was the catalyst of the Grassroots ESL partnership. Along with Azusa Hispanic Foursquare Church, Canyon Christian Fellowship, Dalton Elementary School, Foothill Family Service, Lee Elementary School and Neighborhood Homework House they began providing ESL tutoring sessions around the community. Use the link below to listen to our conversation about her expansive work in literacy.  LISTEN 13:50

The Azusa Adult Literacy program offers four programs our Adult Basic Literacy program, Grassroots ESL, Leamos and Inspired Citizenship.

If you would like to become a volunteer or are in need of our services please contact Arlene Calderon acalderon@azusaca.gov or call 626-812-5266.  

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 13

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old

(college level entry)

Azusa Library ▬ Inspired Citizenship

Citizenship: Martha Zamora

Azusa Library Literacy

Azusa Literacy Updates: Fall 2020

Our Inspired Citizenship program has seen 200 new citizens of the United States of America. Inspired Citizenship offers a Civic classes and one on one tutoring.

Martha is one of the learners in our Inspired Citizenship program at the moment. Martha also participates in our Gr ESL program. I talk with Martha about what Citizenship means to her. To listen to our short discussion please click the link below.  LISTEN 03:01

The Literacy Program of the Azusa City Library is committed to providing experiences for adults to change their lives and move 1 step closer to fulfilling their potential and reaching their dreams. We offer 2 basic programs:

➤ Free, 1-to-1 and small group tutoring for adults who speak English and want to improve their basic reading, writing and math skills. Trained volunteers tutor students once or twice a week, at a time convenient for both.

➤ Leamos, a free computer-based program for adults who speak Spanish but cannot read and write in Spanish. It is appropriate for adults who have 2 years or less of formal education. Volunteers assist students with their learning. This program is offered in partnership with Proliteracy.

Please call 626-812-5266

to find out when the next training is scheduled.

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 8

Reading Level: standard / average.

Reader's Age: 12-14 yrs. old

(Seventh and Eighth graders)

Los Angeles Public Library ▬ Summer Reading Poetry Series

Summer Reading Poetry Series

READ
Newsletter 

READ: Fall 2020

A newsletter written by the adult learners and tutors in Adult Literacy Services

For many learners, the Summer Reading Challenge poetry series was their first time learning about, writing, and reading poetry. Through the four-week course, their poetic language grew, and along with it their confidence in expressing themselves poetically. Even conversations became a perfect place to “speak in poetry.” As Laurie Lew, the poetry class teacher, puts it, “The great discovery for me in teaching this class is how naturally we all use the language of metaphor.”

Perhaps this was why our learners connected with each other and the class from the beginning. As English language learners, they were all discovering how to express themselves in an unfamiliar language – one notorious for its complex rules. Perhaps the freedom which poetry allows the poet gave each of our participants the chance to express themselves, gracefully and thoughtfully, without having to worry about those rules. The poetic voice was in them already. All they needed was the freedom Laurie provided and a space to comfortably share their thoughts and feelings.

Student Poems

Super Moon and Grandson

Found super moon, On Venice street.
On the way home from work.
In Autumn night.
Staring, following bright yellow moon,
Slowing down wheels & handle under neon.
Let Moon Walk in my yard.
«Good Night to the moon on the tree top of lemon. »
Closing wooden gate with sleepy hand.
Opening the mail from daughter.
Hi from universe heard.
Holding breath, Staring ultrasound.
Waving tiny fingers, Praying curved posture.
Jumping heart with joy. Thinking round forehead.
Found super moon, On my daughter.
On the way from journey.
At the Autumn of life.
-By Donna Kim

READ MORE ➤➤

 

Teaching adults to read and write would not be possible without volunteers just like you. No prior teaching experience is required. We provide free introductory online training and follow up support and training. Our goal is to help you succeed and provide an amazing volunteer experience for every volunteer.

We have several different volunteer positions available, with different responsibilities and time commitments. You can take a look at our opportunities and begin the application process below:

One-on-One Tutor
Walk-in Tutor
Conversation Teacher
Leamos Tutor

For more information, call (213) 228-7037

or find the Literacy Center closest to you

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 7

Reading Level: fairly easy to read.

Reader's Age: 11-13 yrs. old

(Sixth and Seventh graders)

Azusa Library ▬ A New Challenge

A New Challenge

Literacy Update: Summer 2020

The Literacy Office is usually buzzing with small group ESL tutoring sessions, one on one tutoring, appointment and trainings for new tutors and new learner assessments but for the past 3.5 months it has been empty. Our Adult Literacy services, as all Library program and services have moved online.

We have been fortunate to move some of our learners and tutors online but we’ve come to learn of the digital divide within our community. Our Adult Literacy Services provides online learning tools such as Reading Horizons and our Leamos program which is web based but these opportunities attract individuals who are already comfortable with the technology. Moving forward our commitment lies in reaching all our learners and creating a space where our learners feel comfortable learning to using this technology.

COVID-19 taught us we could exist in a world we never thought imaginable but if we scale it down to the small, important details we see how much we can learn. We can see how much we take for granted.

Click to listen to a conversation with Azusa City Library Manager Leila about how the library is meeting the challenges of Covid-19.  LISTEN 06:54

The Literacy Program of the Azusa City Library is committed to providing experiences for adults to change their lives and move 1 step closer to fulfilling their potential and reaching their dreams. We offer 2 basic programs:

➤ Free, 1-to-1 and small group tutoring for adults who speak English and want to improve their basic reading, writing and math skills. Trained volunteers tutor students once or twice a week, at a time convenient for both.

➤ Leamos, a free computer-based program for adults who speak Spanish but cannot read and write in Spanish. It is appropriate for adults who have 2 years or less of formal education. Volunteers assist students with their learning. This program is offered in partnership with Proliteracy.

Please call 626-812-5266
to find out when the next training is scheduled.

Automatic Readability Checker

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)

Los Angeles Public Library ▬ Providing Online Services to People of All Ages ▬ Spectrum News1

Los Angeles Public Library Providing Online Services to People of All Ages

Spectrum News1: 10.13.2020 by Lisa McRee w/ Nita Lelyveld, LA Times

While the Los Angeles public library buildings remain closed to the public, librarians from several branches have created comfortable and fun programs online. Los Angeles Times City Beat Columnist Nita Lelyveld joined us to share all the details.

"The Los Angeles Public Library system has been offering various classes and projects for people of all ages. I went to many literacy classes where people were improving their English or learning English, and I saw people from all over the world participating. There were so many different accents, and you could peak into so many other lives, and people were taking these classes that were so eager to learn that they were standing outside able to take these classes,” said Lelyveld.

Learning about people’s experiences through the resources offered by the libraries was very rewarding for Lelyveld.  WATCH 06:08

Adult Literacy

Teaching adults to read and write would not be possible without volunteers just like you. No prior teaching experience is required. We provide free introductory online training and follow up support and training. Our goal is to help you succeed and provide an amazing volunteer experience for every volunteer.

We have several different volunteer positions available, with different responsibilities and time commitments. You can take a look at our opportunities and begin the application process below:

• One-on-One Tutor
• Walk-in Tutor
• Conversation Teacher
• Leamos Tutor

For more information, call (213) 228-7037 or find the Literacy Center closest to you.

Automatic Readability Checker

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)

Azusa Library ▬ Citizenship Specialist Speaks About Inspired Citizenship Program Now Being Virtual

Citizenship Specialist Speaks About Our Inspired Citizenship Program Now Being Virtual

Azusa Adult Literacy Podcasts: 2020

Inspired Citizenship

According to the U.S. Census, nearly 1-third of Azusa residents were born outside the United States. The goal of our Inspired Citizenship program is to empower our community and encourage stronger civic participation for all City of Azusa residents. The immigrant community often faces barriers to citizenship, due to low or interrupted education levels and limited English proficiency.  

Created by the Azusa City Library, Inspired Citizenship is a program to help adults prepare to become United States citizens. The library offers:

weekly classes

study materials

1-on-1 coaching

special information workshops to help you and your family achieve your dreams of becoming U.S. citizens

Due to COVID-19, our weekly classes have transitioned into a virtual service. The Azusa City Library is now offering Citizenship Classes through Zoom on the following days:

Tuesdays: 9 am (English/ Bilingual)

Wednesdays: 9 am (Spanish)

To request more information, please contact Joyce Ayala at (626) 812-5273

PODCASTS

The Adult Literacy program has developed a podcast of quick, insights into our tutor programs. The following episodes are of volunteer tutors and learners from the different programs we offer.

The Adult Literacy program offers four programs our Adult Basic Literacy program, Grassroots ESL, Leamos and Inspired Citizenship. If you would like to become a volunteer or are in need of our services please contact Arlene Calderon acalderon@azusaca.gov or call 626-812-5266.

Funding for the Adult Literacy Programs comes from the California Library Literacy Services and the Canyon City Foundation.  LISTEN 04:49

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders) 

Los Angeles Public Library :: Enfoque en la alfabetización: un sueño hecho realidad

Enfoque en la alfabetización: un sueño hecho realidad

LAPL Blog: 8.07.2019 by Randall Hinson, Librarian, Office of Education and Literacy

En julio del año pasado, tres estudiantes emprendieron su camino hacia la alfabetización a través de Leamos, un programa de alfabetización a base de computadora, en la Biblioteca Pacoima. Leamos provee a hispanohablantes, quienes no tuvieron la oportunidad de asistir a la escuela en su niñez, un curso de lectura y escritura en su idioma nativo. También los capacita en nociones básicas del uso de la computadora y sirve como precursor a clases de inglés como segundo idioma.

Nueve meses después de comenzar el curso, dos estudiantes aplicadas y trabajadoras siguen trabajando hacia su sueño de poder leer y escribir. La Sra. Ana Teresa Batrez y la Sra. Silvia Barahona García llegan a la biblioteca cada lunes, por dos horas, a reforzar y extender sus conocimientos. Hasta la fecha, han leído textos de todo tipo - incluyendo: libros infantiles, titulares de periódicos, solicitudes de empleo, etiquetas de comida y medicina, pistas de crucigramas, horóscopos y reflexiones de estudiantes que han cumplido el curso.

La meta de Ana es escribir la historia de su vida, la cual ha sido un triunfo sobre la adversidad, para compartir con otros e inspirarlos. Silvia quisiera usar su alfabetización para avanzar en su trabajo y ser reconocida como la persona capaz que es. Cada una de ellas está modelando para sus hijos y/o nietos la importancia de perseguir un sueño y mantenerse en curso. No cabe decir que también han sido una fuente de inspiración para sus maestros.

Focus On Literacy: A Dream Come True

Randall Hinson , Librarian , Office of Education and Literacy

In July last year, three students embarked on their path to literacy through Leamos, a computer-based literacy program, at the Pacoima Library. Leamos provides Spanish speakers, who did not have the opportunity to attend school in their childhood, a reading and writing course in their native language. It also trains them in basic notions of computer use and serves as a precursor to English as a second language classes.

Nine months after starting the course, two applied and hardworking students continue working towards their dream of being able to read and write. Mrs. Ana Teresa Batrez and Mrs. Silvia Barahona García arrive at the library every Monday, for two hours, to reinforce and extend their knowledge. To date, they have read texts of all kinds - including: children's books, newspaper headlines, job applications, food and medicine labels, crossword clues, horoscopes and reflections of students who have completed the course.

Ana's goal is to write the story of her life, which has been a triumph over adversity, to share with others and inspire them. Silvia would like to use her literacy to advance her work and be recognized as the capable person she is. Each of them is modeling for their children and / or grandchildren the importance of pursuing a dream and staying on course. It cannot be said that they have also been a source of inspiration for their teachers.  READ MORE >>

Los Angeles Public Library :: Spotlight on Literacy: A Dream Come True

Spotlight on Literacy: A Dream Come True

LAPL Blog: 7.31.2019 by Luisa Latham, Adult Literacy Tutor

Randall Hinson, Librarian, Office of Education and Literacy

Last July, three students began a journey toward literacy via Leamos, a computer-based literacy program, at the Pacoima Branch Library. Leamos teaches Spanish speaking adults, who may not have had the opportunity for formative education, to begin working toward competency in reading and writing in their native language. It also equips them with basic computer skills. It can serve as a pre-ESL(English as a Second Language) course as well.

Nine months after beginning their study, two dedicated and hardworking students have stayed the course and continued their journey toward literacy. Ana Teresa Batrez and Silvia Barahona Garcia come to the library each Monday for two hours to reinforce and extend their reading and writing skills. To date, they have succeeded in reading a wide variety of texts including children’s books, newspaper headlines, employment applications, food and prescription labels, crossword puzzle clues, horoscopes, riddles and the reflections of previous students who completed Leamos.  READ MORE >>

Learning Spanish First :: California Libraries Pilot Unique Literacy Program - Cathay Reta : American Libraries

Learning Spanish First

California libraries pilot unique literacy program

American Libraries: 5.01.2018 by Cathay Reta

At age 7, Efren Sanchez got separated from his mother in the crowd at a Mexico City festival and wound up living on the streets. He never went to school or learned to read. In his early 30s he moved to the US. Now, at age 52, Sanchez has learned to read and write in Spanish. He was one of the first adults to enroll in the Leamos course at the Louis Robidoux branch of the Riverside County (Calif.) Library System.

Leamos is a licensed online course geared to adult learners. Typically, learners need assistance logging into the course but, with practice using the mouse, they soon become adept using it alone. A virtual instructor takes them through 46 lessons to learn how to read and write basic Spanish. Some libraries set class times in their computer labs, some provide volunteer tutors to work with learners, and others involve library staff to provide needed support. Learners can also study at home or anywhere that has internet access after becoming comfortable with the course.

═════════►

Leamos @ the Library was developed with two goals: to teach basic literacy skills to Spanish speakers, and to explore its effectiveness as a tool to reach nonlibrary users. The results? We reached 117 adult learners, more than half of whom (66 individuals) got their first library card when they enrolled in the program. Many became regular patrons and began to use other library services, as we had hoped. For example, since Santa Monica Public Library patron Maria C. (last name withheld) learned to read, she can hardly put a book down. When her brother-in-law asked, “What happened to your house? It’s not as clean as it used to be,” she replied, “Oh, now I’m reading!” In the summer of 2017, she read 20 books and received a Summer Reading Program certificate of completion.

While success stories like these have been repeated across the state, they have not come easily, and they have not happened in every community.  READ MORE >>

Southern California & Statewide Literacy & Library Events :: November 2017

Southern California & Statewide Literacy & Library Events

November 2017

SCLLN

Literacy & Library Events & Conferences

- Local, California and National –

visit the

Southern California Library Literacy Network

for more information

@CalLibAssoc    #NewWorldsEmerge 

National Family Literacy Month

National Novel Writing Month

National Picture Book Month

Jewish Book Month Nov. 12 – Dec 12

Oct. 29+ International Games Week @ Your Library

Nov. 02 HOME A Living Archive Photographic Exhibit: Friends of Literacy Services-Escondido Library, thru Feb 1

Nov. 02+ California Library Association Conference Riverside

Nov. 02 CLA Just-in-Time Literacy Instruction Program Management Skills Riverside 1:15p

Nov. 02 EveryLibrary Fundraiser at CLA Lake Alice Trading Company Riverside 8p

Nov. 02 CLA Adult Literacy XPRIZE Competition Riverside 2:45p

Nov. 03 CLA Literacy Interest Group Meeting Riverside 1p

Nov. 03 CLA Rural California + Digital Literacy + ESL Instruction Riverside 4:30p

Nov. 03 CLA Leamos @ the Library Riverside 3:30p

Nov. 04 CLA An Invitation to Family Literacy Riverside 3p

Nov. 04 Write to Literacy Conference CSU Northridge 8:30a

Nov. 13+ American Education Week

Nov. 15+ CAEL Council for Adult & Experiential Learning Conference San Diego

Nov. 18 Tellabration (Saturday before Thanksgiving) Have the Talk of a Lifetime

Nov. 23+ The Great Listen 2017

Nov. 27 Overview of Orton Gillingham Approach Cyberspace 4 weeks

Nov. 27 Special Ed Law and Dyslexia Cyberspace 4 weeks

ALOUD: Library Foundation of Los Angeles  @ALOUDla

Los Angeles Literary Calendar  @LALitScene

Poets & Writers Los Angeles Literary Events Calendar

California Book Festivals

Poetry Flash – So & No California

Storytelling Association of California

California Library Association Conference :: Nov 2-4 :: Literacy

2017 California Library Association Conference

 New Worlds Emerge

Nov 2 – Nov 4 :: Riverside

@CalLibAssoc

#NewWorldsEmerge

Conference Planner: Literacy

Literacy Pre-Conference

Nov 2: Just-in-Time Literacy Instruction and Program Management Skills

1:00pm - 4:15pm

Five experienced library literacy coordinators will provide advice to colleagues

2:45pm - 4:15pm

Adult Literacy XPRIZE Competition 
Shlomy Kattan, Senior Director of the $7M Barbara Bush Foundation

Nov 3: Literacy Interest Group Meeting

1:00pm - 1:45pm

Nov 3: Leamos (Let's Read) at the Library: Lessons Learned Teaching Spanish Literacy

3 3:30pm - 4:15pm

Cathay Reta Adult Literacy Coordinator Azusa City Library

Rolando Olivo Adult Literacy Coordinator Riverside County Library Systems

New worlds do emerge when you learn to read for the first time. For adult Spanish speakers who never attended school, that is exactly what is happening at libraries throughout California.

Nov 4: An Invitation to Family Literacy: the Reading Ambassadors Program

3:00pm - 3:45pm

Let’s be honest, when it comes to family reading California families don’t have a level playing field.

Nov 4: Rural California + Digital Literacy + ESL Instruction

4:30pm - 5:15pm

Learn how Butte County Library established a digital literacy program for rural valley residents at a farm labor camp.

Santa Monica Library :: Literacy at the Library

Literacy at the Library

Santa Monica Daily Press: 3.18.2017 by Nancy Bender

310-458-8646

If you only visit the Library to check-out books or DVDs, you’re missing a huge part of what Santa Monica Public Library has to offer. Did you know that there is a Library program going on, at one or more of our locations, pretty much every day of the year? In 2016 the Library presented over 1,900 programs that drew over 65,800 participants. We have programs of all types – book discussions, crafts, computer classes, author talks, film screenings, concerts – and for all ages.

While some of these programs are totally, completely, unabashedly for fun – how about a screening of The Secret Life of Pets, anyone? – many are educational in nature and, of those, some speak specifically to learning skills that advance one’s literacy, or “competence or knowledge in a specified area.” Our programs include everything from Story Times for babies and children to computer classes for adults; all with the goal of boosting literacy.

This year, the Santa Monica Public Library (SMPL) expands its educational offerings by launching a new Adult Literacy Program, made possible by a California Library Literacy Grant. The program features volunteer adult literacy tutors working one-on-one with adult learners, helping them learn or improve their reading and writing skills. This new program is part of a larger umbrella of learning programming at the Library.

═════════►

Santa Monica Public Library’s Pico Branch offers LEAMOS, a pre-ESL online literacy course for Spanish speakers looking to learn or improve reading and writing skills. The Library has teamed up with the Adult Education Center to host ESL classes, with community and SMMUSD parents receiving priority registration. The first series of classes runs from January through June of this year, with the plan to continue with additional sessions after that.  READ MORE @

Adult Literacy @ California Library Association Conference :: Nov 3-5

Adult Literacy @ California Library Association Conference :: Nov 3-5

Swing Into Action

Student Resources for Literacy Tutors

November 3, 2016 | 1:15 PM - 4:15 PM

look at books, apps, and more for adult learners, as well as information on learning disabilities and student resources.

Sponsored by: CLA Literacy Interest Group

Leamos @ The Library

Swinging Into Action for Spanish Literacy

November 4 | 4:45 PM - 5:45 PM

Spanish literacy for non-literate Spanish speakers

Penny Hineline; Cathay Reta, Azusa City Library; Beverly Schwartzberg; Julian Zamora

Money Smart Week at the Malls

November 5 | 12:30 PM - 2 PM

The Fresno County Public Library WoW! (Without Walls Library) team took Money Smart Week to several local malls in 2016.

Shannon Morrison, Fresno County Public Library

Southern California & Statewide Literacy & Library Events :: November 2016

Southern California & Statewide Literacy & Library Events

November 2016

SCLLN

Literacy & Library Events & Conferences

- Local, California and National –

visit the

Southern California Library Literacy Network

for more information

Southern California & California

National Family Literacy Month  #FamilyLiteracyMonth

National Novel Writing Month @NaNoWriMo #NaNoWriMo

National Picture Book Month  @PictureBkMonth  #kidlit

Nov. 03+ @CalLibAssoc Conf Sacramento #SwingintoAction

Nov. 03 CLA Student Resources for Literacy Tutors  #SwingintoAction 1:15p

Nov. 04+ California Reading Association PDI Visalia

Nov. 04 CLA Leamos @ the Library  #SwingintoAction 4:45p

Nov. 05 Dicklesia The Movie - a video event Prentice School, Tustin 6p

Nov. 05 CLA Money Smart Week @ The Malls  #SwingintoAction 12:30p

Nov. 08+ @First5CA Child Health Education & Care Summit Sacramento

Nov. 12 Autism Sensory Friendly Films TROLLS 10a

Nov. 14+ American Education Week  @NEAToday #AEW2016

Nov. 15 Autism Sensory Friendly Films DOCTOR STRANGE 7p

Nov. 17+ CATESOL State Conference San Diego @CATESOLers  #CATESOL16

Nov. 19  International Games Day @ Your Library

Nov. 19  #Tellabration - Saturday before Thanksgiving  @NSNstorycon

Nov. 24+ Jewish Book Month @JewishBook

Nov. 24+ #TheGreatListen @StoryCorps

Nov. 26 Autism Sensory Friendly Films FANTASTIC BEASTS-WHERE TO FIND THEM 10a

Nov. 29 Autism Sensory Friendly Films FANTASTIC BEASTS-WHERE TO FIND THEM 7p

ALOUD: Library Foundation of Los Angeles  @ALOUDla

Los Angeles Literary Calendar  @LALitScene

Poets & Writers Los Angeles Literary Events Calendar

California Book Festivals

Poetry Flash – So & No California

Storytelling Association of California