Los Angeles Public Library - Tutor Stories 2011

Tutor Stories
LAPL Newsletter: Summer 2011
Zachary Walter

I recently completed my service with the U.S. Marine Corps and have been preparing for graduate school. During this transition period, I wanted to serve the local community. I love any kind of instruction, whether it is teaching or coaching, so I was excited when I discovered the Adult Literacy Services.

Working with Manoon brings me joy and fulfillment, and I look forward to our meetings every week. He approaches his learning with eagerness, diligence, and humility, and has progressed very well.

Our sessions go beyond me teaching him, and are an exchange of lessons. I admire his devotion to his family and the sacrifice he makes to ensure the success of his children. His values are clear because he lives them. I feel blessed to work with such a humble, genuine, and caring person. He has taught me as much as I have taught him, and I am grateful to have touched Manoon’s life, even if just a little.

John Goldfarb
After retiring last year from my job with the Department of Corrections, I was looking for something fulfilling to do with part of my week when I discovered a link to the Adult Literacy web site.

This soon led me to Coordinator Kathy Hall, then a day of training, and finally to my learner, Maria. Since our first meeting last January, Maria has provided me with a consistent example of cheerful industry in her approach to learning and living. Over the years that she has lived in this country, she has periodically sought out opportunities to improve her English, most recently through Adult Literacy Services.

She spends a significant amount of time preparing for each of our meetings and accepts my feedback on her homework graciously. In working with her, I get the chance to explore fundamental aspects of English that I might have forgotten or taken for granted, and am constantly reminded of the beautiful complexity of the language.

When Maria tells me that her co-workers have commented lately on the greater fluency of her speech, I feel gratified to be a participant in her learning process and a tutor on Kathy Hall’s team. READ MORE !

CA & National Literacy Calendar: August 2011

California Literacy Calendar: August 2011
Summer Reading Program: “One World, Many Stories”

SCLLN

Literacy & Library Events & Conferences

- local, California and National -

visit the

Southern California Library Literacy Network

for more information

Info about local Tutor Training Workshops is always Scrolling in the Right Frame.

Local and California Literacy Events: August 2011
Aug 4+: Steinbeck Festival – Salinas
Aug 6: Sensory Friendly Film SMURFS @ 10am AMCs Woodland Hills to SD
Aug 20: Black Book Expo – LA Convention Center
Aug 27: Sensory Friendly Film SPY KIDS 4 @ 10am AMCs Woodland Hills to SD

National & International Literacy Events: August 2011
Aug 3+: Conference on Distance Teaching & Learning – WI
Aug 8+: Texas Literacy Conference - Austin
Aug 6: Sensory Friendly Film SMURFS @ 10am AMC Theaters nationwide
Aug 22+: Family Literacy Training Institute 2011 – Calgary CA
Aug 27: Sensory Friendly Film SPY KIDS 4 @ 10am AMC Theaters nationwide

86,800 Most Common Words

Anonymous reports that Wordcount is no longer available.

Unable to find out why.

Created by Jonathan Harris, 2004.

Conversation with Jonathan Harris on Wordmaster: Sep 2, 2004

Here are 2 other sites:

6000 Most Frequently Used English Words

Word Frequency Lists and Dictionary: Corpus of Contemporary American English

WordCount

an interactive presentation of the

86,800 most frequently used English words

SCLLN Literacy Links Page

SCLLN has a new Literacy LINKS Page

Visit literacy programs and organizations in Southern California and California. There are also LINKS to national and international literacy associations; for family, early and youth literacy.

Adult Learners can find United Literacy, VALUE; websites by and for learners; activities and exercises, including grammar, spelling and pronunciation; and citizenship and voting.

Adult Learner LINKS
Southern California and California
National - International - Statistics

- Coming Soon -
Early Literacy - Family Literacy - Youth Literacy
Learning Disabilities

2011 Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy

Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy Award

The California Library Association Literacy Interest Group and California Library Literacy Services Invite Your Nominations.

Nominations must be received on or before International Literacy Day September 8, 2011.
E-mail completed nomination form to:
Amy Crepeau, HBPL Literacy Services

Here’s your chance to recognize an exceptional librarian who demonstrates passion, excellence and dedication in support of literacy!

Purpose:This award is to recognize and honor a librarian who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to support literacy.

Eligibility:The nominee cannot be a literacy services staff person who already provides direct literacy services. The nominee can be someone who has performed one or more of the following services in support of literacy:

􀀳 Outreach
􀀳 Public Awareness
􀀳 Programming
􀀳 Collection Development
􀀳 Advocacy
􀀳 Fund Raising
􀀳 Recruitment
􀀳 Other – You name it ! ! !

Only one nomination per library jurisdiction is allowed.This is an individual award – nomination cannot be for a group.The winner will be honored at the CLA 2011 Conference in Pasadena.

The winner receives a 1-year CLA Membership, a plaque, recognition on the CLA website and a gift certificate. Each nominee will receive a certificate of special recognition.

Past Winners
2010: Anne Cain, Contra Costa County Library
2009: Derek Wolfgram, Santa Clara County Library
2008: Jean Hofacket, Alameda County Library
2007: Carol Starr, Marin County Free Library
2006: John M. Adams, Orange County Public Library
2005: Sofia Bellos, Oxnard Public Library
2004: Leslie McGinnis Rodd, Oakland Public Library
2003: Chuck Aston, Redwood City Public Library

Orange Co Library - Learner’s Persistence Pays Off

SCLLN Library Literacy News . . .
Learner’s Persistence Pays Off
Read Writes: June 2011

Learners often seek help for improving their reading and writing skills because they are motivated by an immediate challenge before them, such as helping a child with school work or getting a better job. Others are focused on a strong desire to achieve a long term, often lifelong, desire. Current needs or a journey to reach a lifelong desire, immediate successes toward a goal helps learners make connections to other learning opportunities.

Samia came to READ/OC nearly 12 years ago with the immediate need to help her children with school work, return to school herself to get a better job, and eventually operate her own business. Samia dreamed of receiving her certification in the nursing field and did not let changes of tutors and challenges at work deter her from her plans.

A few tutors came and went throughout Samia’s journey. Still Samia persisted in her efforts toward her goal. In January 2007, she began working with a new tutor on the Wilson Reading System to help her better understand English language skills and improve her grammar, writing, and speaking skills. At first, she wasn’t too sure about working through this in-depth reading system, but her tutor encouraged her to try it for a bit longer.

In December 2009, Samia accomplished what few learners do, successfully completing all levels of the Wilson program. Samia then persisted on her own toward her dream. She began studying at Cypress College while still working, helping her daughters with homework and participating at their school. Last month, Samia called READ/OC with good news to share. She had, at last, passed her exams to earn her certification in nursing! Samia has worked long and hard to achieve her goals and her persistence has paid off.

With her CNA certification come more opportunities to pursue her dreams. Success is contagious. Samia continues with her nursing studies while encouraging others toward lifelong learning. Regardless of our own learning and skill challenges, we can all be encouraged by Samia’s efforts and persistence for continued growth, lifelonglearning and then be driven by the opportunities that will follow each success.

Literacy Tribune Newsletter: July 2011

Literacy Tribune: July 2011
The Adult Learner Network Newsletter

United Literacy, a non-profit organization, provides resources and support to adult literacy learners in the United States. Its aim is to make literacy education accessible and worthwhile for adult learners.

Main Story: Labels, Learning Disabilities, and Reading
- Do people say you have a “Music Disability” because you can’t sing very well . . .

A History Lesson: Songs of Patriotism
- It’s July, and the start of some of our nation’s most beloved customs – picnics, barbeques, parades, fireworks, and outdoor concerts.

Member Spotlight: Gloria Murray, Guest Writer & Learner
- My speech is called “Ideas on ALLI.”

Organization Spotlight: Literacy Volunteers of Tucson (LVT)
- The year was 1961. Betty Frey, an educator in Tucson, Arizona, went to talk with her assistant pastor about what she could do to help the community.

Technology Watch: What to Do After Buying a Brand New PC LaptopBy Daniel Pedroza, Writer and Learner
- Just bought a new laptop? Wondering what you have to do before you can use it?

The Literacy Tribune is looking for adult learner writers.
Are you an adult learner ?
Do you want to write ?
Do you want to publish your writing ?

You can write about:
Your road to literacy
Your literacy organization
Literacy resources you like
You can write book reviews, poetry, short stories
You can write articles about health, finance, or technology
You can write just about anything !