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Our Library -
Adult Literacy at Plainfield Public Library
"Privacy, respect, and an opportunity to succeed!"
WHO ARE WE?
PROFILE: STELLA SEGURA, NEW LITERACY OFFICE ASSISTANT
WHO ARE OUR STUDENTS?
STUDENT WRITINGS
WHAT HAVE OUR STUDENTS ACCOMPLISHED?
SOME COMMON ACCOMPLISHMENTS
WHO TEACHES THE ADULT STUDENT?
CLASES DE INGLES CONVERSACIONAL SE EXTIENDEN
CONVERSATIONAL ENGLISH CLASSES EXPAND
CONTACT US
The mission of Literacy Volunteers of the Plainfield Public Library is to develop the literacy skills of adults with minimum reading skills. Since 1992 we have served over 4,000 Plainfield adults, providing instruction in Basic English, Basic Math, ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) and Conversational English.
Life Skills programs are also offered to help those having problems with everyday coping skills, such as employability, job preparedness, consumerism, social skills, and civic/citizenship preparation.
Our program is free to all adults, and our training is free for tutor volunteers.
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If Assistant Library Director Barbara Ketterer of the Plainfield Public Library ever wondered if her years of volunteer tutoring would ever pay off, all she need do is look across the room and see Stella Segura welcoming new students into the library's Literacy Volunteers program.
What makes the story so remarkable is that Stella was Barbara's student and now she is the library's part-time Literacy Office Assistant.
Stella, a resident of Dunellen, was visiting the library when she was
informed about the free tutoring services offered by the Literacy
Volunteers of the Plainfield Public Library. A native of Columbia,
Stella was extremely interested in improving her limited English and
signed on to take the free English classes.
In two years she
accomplished her goal and now makes other Spanish-speaking students feel welcome. "I can identify with them because I was once
in the same situation," says Stella.
"Barbara not only taught me English, but she made me feel welcome
and encouraged me to achieve my goal," said Stella.
"What I learned from her I can now pass on to others and it's a remarkable feeling to be able to help those who are struggling to learn English and adjust to new surroundings," she said.
Barbara, a resident of Piscataway, has been a tutor for two years.
"Stella is bright and she is a fast learner who worked hard to improve
her writing and speaking skills," said Barbara. She added that Stella
felt very insecure with her English when she started, but she was
determined, self-motivated and did very well.
"She even wrote an article for the student newsletter about her initial experiences in the United States, which included feelings of hesitancy in trying to communicate in English," Barbara added.
Barbara decided to become a tutor because the need is great.
She
feels that "everyone" should be able to read and write. "Immigrants and their families should be encouraged to learn English so they can communicate with the majority of those in the community," said Barbara.
"Becoming a tutor is a great way to give back to the community." She said she would recommend becoming a tutor to anyone who has a couple of hours a week available to help someone in need. "Most of us don't feel we have the time," said Barbara. "But, making the time can actually make a big difference in someone else's life," she concluded.
"Stella is a great example to new tutors of the importance of their
volunteer work," said Joseph Hugh DaRold, Director of the Plainfield
Public Library. "We are delighted to have her on our staff," he added.
You do not need prior teaching training or experience to become a Basic Literacy tutor. The only requirement is that tutors must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma. Literacy Volunteers of the Plainfield Public Library will provide the training and materials you need free of charge.
Our students are men and women, most of whom work and have families. Many are U.S. citizens who attended local schools. Others have come to our country to achieve the American dream. Our clients have come from:
Barbados, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador,
Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Senegal, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Uruguay.
Some of our ESOL students have higher-level education and degrees from their homeland but lack the English skills necessary to obtain a position in their area of academic training.
Ours is a student-centered program: adult students determine their long-term goals, which are translated to literacy goals that can be attained over time.
Most who continue in our program achieve their long-term goals as well as more immediate goals, which they decide upon along the way. One adult student felt confident enough to move out on her own and begin a new life.
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Our adult students are taught by Tutor VOLUNTEERS These are men and women of all ages, backgrounds and academic levels, who receive training from certified master trainers. Literacy Volunteers of the Plainfield Public Library provides this training and materials at no charge.
Our tutors come to us with a strong desire to make a difference in someone else's life, and make long-term commitments to our program.To teach ESOL, it is not necessary to be able to speak another language.
You will learn the skills necessary to become a proficient tutor as part of our free tutor training workshops.
Trained and certified literacy tutors are always needed.
Con un creciente numero de estudiantes de ESL (128) en lista de espera para tutores, la Librería Publica de Plainfield ha decidido extender sus clases de Ingles Conversacional. La intención de estas clases es ayudar a aquellos que deseen mejorar sus habilidades para hablar ingles.
La librería ha ofrecido una clase matutina los sábados durante varios años, y continua abierta para nuevos estudiantes cada sábado a las 10:30am.
Las nuevas clases incluyen una de 10 semanas que será los miércoles en la tarde, empezando el Septiembre 13 del 2006 de 6:00pm a 8:00pm.
Las clases de los martes en la tarde comenzaran el 3 de Octubre de 7:00pm a 8:30pm.
Se esta planeando una clase en la mañana de 10:00am al mediodía, esto, si suficientes estudiantes se reúnen para un mismo día de la semana. Para mas información, o para inscribirse a una clase, por favor de comunicarse con Stella Segura en la oficina de literatura al 908-755-7998. Todas las clases son gratis. Asistencia bilingüe esta disponible.
With a growing number of ESL students (128) on the waiting list for
tutors, the Plainfield Public Library is reaching out to those in need
by expanding its Conversational English classes. These classes are
intended to help those who wish to improve their speaking skills in
English.
The Library has offered a Saturday morning class for several years,
and it is still open to new students every Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00pm.
A Wednesday morning class from 10:00 a.m. to noon has also started.
New evening classes have begun on Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m
The Conversational English Classes are open to everyone who would like to learn and practice English.
Pre-registration is not required for these classes.
For more information or to sign up for a class, please call Stella Segura in the Literacy Office at 908-755-7998. Bilingual assistance is available.
If you would like to host a workshop or if you are an organization interested in learning more about Literacy Volunteers of the Plainfield Public Library, we are available to make a presentation or meet with you at a time convenient for you.
If you would like to become a tutor volunteer, or if you know someone who would like to become a student, please contact the Literacy Office.
Literacy Volunteers of the Plainfield Public Library is an accredited member of ProLiteracy of America and an affiliate of Literacy Volunteers of New Jersey.
Literacy Office: 908-755-7998
Main Library: 908-757-1111
Plainfield Public Library
800 Park Avenue
Plainfield,
New Jersey 07060
Fax: 908-754-0063
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