16 responses to “Share Your Stories”

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  Jessie Bush June 2nd, 2009 at 16:05

  I was thrilled to see my student’s story selected for publication by the Florida Literacy Coalition. I had learned that Angel Chamberlain’s story had been accepted but was not aware that it was one of only three to be published in “Reflections.” She is a very dedicated, hard-working student and will be very pleased to learn this.

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  Lucinda Knox June 2nd, 2009 at 09:18

  In Mari’s newletter today, I just learned that my Russian adult learner, Anzhelika, was one of the three chosen to be included in this year’s Adult Literacy essay collection. She will be thrilled! She is in Russia at present with her two children, visiting her mother and sister; however, I’m hoping my email will get to her. She had no confidence in writing an essay in the first place and certainly had no expectations of being chosen; she should be very proud of herself.

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  Mari May 27th, 2009 at 08:35

  During the April Tutor Meeting, Mary Murtagh shared an excellent strategy called, “Draw Me a Story.” She explained that tutors can ask students to tell a story and draw an accompanying picture at the same time. This tactile and visual lesson helps to ground the students in an experience that will help them better remember vocabulary and develop fluency. This creative activity is a great lesson for both ESOL and Basic Literacy Students. Another tutor, Carmen Mattei, shared a fantastic book series written by Tana Reiff. She and her ESOL student love to read these stories together; many are written in the perspective of different immigrants traveling to this country. What other creative lessons or activities are you using with your students?

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  Angel March 20th, 2009 at 13:58

  A Turning Point in My Life

  Hi, my name is Angel. I was born in Taichung, Taiwan in 1949. All my life I wanted to learn to read and write, since I was a little girl. However, life gets in the way. When I was eight years old, I quit school and went to work to help my parents. I worked ten hours a day with one day off a month. I got married when I was 20 years old. I came to the United States when I was 23 years old. At the time my husband needed me to help him with our financial situation, so I went to work.

  I have been working in the factory for 32 years. I am a seamstress. Sometimes I have the dream about going to school, but I have to help my family first. At work some of my coworkers have laughed at me because they found out I could not read and write. I remember well the day I was hurt and I went home. I was crying. A person without a good education cannot find a better job. You always have to take the lowest job. This is why we are in need of a better education, to learn to read and write.

  One day my good friend Anna and I got to talking about education. She said any person should have an education. Then I told her I cannot read and write. The next day she gave me the name of the Hillsborough Literacy Council and the phone number to call. She said “They will help you!” I have been in the Hillsborough Literacy Program since August 2005. I have learned knowledge and confidence. I am able to read street signs and many books. When my husband and I go to restaurants I can read the menu. He does not have to read them for me any more. I have quit my job, and I do not have to work any more. My husband is supporting me, so I can continue with my education.

  My goal is to be able to write very well by January 2010. I want to be my own boss. This is my goal and my dream! Please tell your friends about the Hillsborough Literacy Council and tell them about the education. It is very important to our life. We must learn as much as we can for our life. Without education it is like being without light.

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  Lucinda Knox February 14th, 2009 at 22:04

  I tutor a fairly advanced Russian ESOL student, Angela, who had graduated from a university in Russia and also had studied English in school there from age 7 on. However, she is reserved and very shy about speaking English in front of other people, as I gradually discovered. Because I have a sincere interest in Russia, she has told me a lot about her area, its culture, the food, and her education there. When the opportunity arose for her to submit an essay for the 2009 Adult Learner book, her first instinct was to say “no” and to leave it at that. However, after some coaxing, she wrote a first draft, we went over it, and she completed two more drafts with only some minimal editing and suggestions on my part. She then submitted it from home. Not only is she proud of her work, but I am proud that she signed her name to it, something she wasn’t going to do at first! So far, I am the only person who knows she wrote the essay; she has kept it secret from her family and friends. We won’t know until May whether it has been selected for the book, but the important part is that Angela wrote the essay, put her name to it, and actually submitted it – something I don’t think she would have done when we first met.

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  Andrea November 25th, 2008 at 09:54

  I am constantly having a debate with myself about who’s teaching whom when I meet with my ESOL student. Birgit, who is from Meßstetten, Germany, has already taught me how to coax cheese curd into a delicious German cheesecake and what is involved in the practice of accu-pressure (she studies homeopathy). Birgit’s goal is to speak English more quickly and fluidly. Our conversations — about recipes, natural medicine, her husband’s position at MacDill Air Force Base — are geared toward building her vocabulary and her ease with casual talking. Since we’ve been together, I’ve noticed that Birgit now initiates conversations more often and even elaborates on what’s going on in her life. Every week I look forward to meeting with her – and my sweet tooth isn’t complaining either!

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  Sadia Ahmed November 25th, 2008 at 08:11

  Among my six ESOL students Lily stood out from the rest since the beginning of our sessions in April, 2008. She used to bring in her little son of four years into the class, while her daughter an avid reader, enjoyed the library books. Being a very devoted mother, it is hard for her to leave them at home and she still continues to bring them in. But this also shows her dedication to learn English.
  Coming from Venezuela where the native language is Spanish, she continued to have some of the main pronunciation problems like “n” in the place of “m” and “g” in the place of “y”. Her grammar both in written and spoken English needed tremendous effort in the beginning. But after eight months of stress on correct grammar and pronunciations from my side and her continued devotion and hard work, she is finally speaking correctly and in complete sentences. My heart fills with endless joy when I hear her speak now.
  She recently said to me with utter joy that now she understands and converses well with the native English spoken teachers from her son’s school. The other day she informed me that she spoke quiet fluently with a representative from INS whom she spoke only in Spanish in the past. What more reward could I have asked for?

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  Mari November 14th, 2008 at 15:56

  When my Basic Literacy student, Rosie, and I started working together she couldn’t spell two letter words. We’ve only been tutoring for five months, so I can’t believe the improvements I’ve seen her make. She’s working so hard, reading the Junkyard Dan series on the weekends and practicing with a computer program after work.

  The other day we had huge successes – she spelled the words “situation” and “determination”…and she read the word “opportunity.” I can’t even believe it! Even though we work in the library’s tutoring room, she can’t contain herself when she reaches a success like this – so she screams, kisses me, and then starts crying. I’m so proud of her, and I can’t wait till she reads to the audience when she graduates at our Appreciation Assembly next year.