READ Newsletter: Fall 2012
Judy’s Story
by Tutor: Judy Meyers
I started working with the literacy program 4 years ago. I loved working with my first student so much that when she moved out of town, I wanted to repeat the experience. However, when I received information on my new student, my enthusiasm waned. Apparently, she needed help with her English. She was a college graduate and had a job. How much could I really help her?
Working with my first student had been so exciting. She learned how to read at 37 years old which opened up an entire new world for her, including going for her college degree. Working with this new student didn’t sound like it was going to be nearly as satisfying. So, I called Peggy, our literacy coordinator and explained my ambivalence. She responded that helping someone improve their English can also change their life. I thought, okay, I guess I’ll give it a try.
The “try” has lasted for more then a year. My student, Monserrat, is a new challenge. When we first met it was immediately apparent that pronunciation was her huge issue. It is often very hard to understand what she is saying in English, even though she has a fairly extensive vocabulary. We discovered that she has difficulty hearing the difference between certain letter sounds and when she finally can decipher them, the issue becomes how to pronounce them. READ MORE !
LAPL Literacy has a new web page !
