Redlands Library :: Success Stories In Redlands Literacy Program Are As Unique As Its 100-Plus Learners

Success Stories In Redlands Literacy Program Are As Unique As Its 100-Plus Learners

The Redlands Adult Literacy Program is expanding with a family literacy class beginning in September

Redlands Daily Facts: 9.08.2019 by Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coord-A.K. Smiley Library

New volunteers sometimes ask how the Redlands Adult Literacy Program measures learner success. Most adults join the literacy program to improve their reading and writing skills in order to get a new or better job, help their children with their homework or further their own education, but reaching these goals is as unique as the 103 adults who were served by the program last year.

Some adults who ask for literacy assistance have little or no foundation in reading. At this level, participants learn to read basic words for the first time. For example, one adult learner recently celebrated being able to read and write 80 of the 100 most common words in the English language. Knowing how to read these 80 words has opened the door for him to begin reading sentences, stories in picture books, and signs that he comes across in his daily life.

One tutor was very excited to report that her learner was now reading fluently, which enabled him to understand what he reads. Now he is excited about reading biographies and learning about famous people in history.

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Adult learners have a wide range of writing skills. Some learners begin by writing two-word responses to questions, then later progress to writing full sentences and then stories. Their enthusiasm for writing continues to grow. This year 40 learners wrote and submitted their works for publication in the adult literacy anthology, “Our Stories, A Collection of Writings, Volume 2.” (Volumes 1 and 2 are available for checkout at the library.) Authors were invited to read their stories aloud at the June 2019 Celebration of Authors. It was heartwarming to observe how the adult learners’ family members saw their loved ones in a new light, as they witnessed their newly gained skills and confidence.  READ MORE >>

Next Tutor Orientation

January 28, 2020 - 6:00 pm

Please call the Redlands Adult Literacy Program

office at 909.798.7565, ext. 4138