Program helps English learners achieve their goals
When Nancy Samano moved to the United States from Zamora,
Mexico, she spoke little English, even though she had studied the
language in her home country.
”
I think I understand, and I feel better,
”
Samano said.
Program helps English learners achieve their goals
When Nancy Samano moved to the United States from Zamora, Mexico, she spoke little English, even though she had studied the language in her home country.
“I think I understand, and I feel better,” Samano said.
Samano has been studying English once a week with Annette Perry through the Adult Literacy Program at the San Benito County Free Library.
They have been working together since September 2007, Perry said.
“She’s going to be learning a lot more to bridge the gaps,” Perry said. “She’s moved from pronunciation into grammar. That’s progress.”
Many students in the program are less educated than Samano, Perry said.
“They usually have goals,” Perry said. “They want to earn a GED. They want to get a driver’s license. They want to earn citizenship.”
Samano would like to work. She studied international commerce for three years at a university in Mexico. She might attend a university here, Samano said.
Samano came to this country in February, 2007. Her husband is from the United States and wanted to move back, she said.
For now, Samano’s goal is to learn about the customs of her new country.
“It’s very different here,” Samano said.
Perry, who tutors two students, said that is something both her tutees want to learn.
Her other student wanted to learn about customs in restaurants, such as tipping, Perry said.
For those who drive, learning what street signs mean is important, Perry said.
“If you don’t understand,” Perry said, “you get in trouble.”
Samano says she does not think that she could have learned English on her own.
“I need someone who knows the language and can help me with pronunciation,” Samano said. “I feel like I made a friend. She helps me with everything.”
Being a tutor is fun, Perry said.
“It’s very satisfying because you see results,” Perry said. “I have really good students. That helps a lot.”
Samano learned about the program from a family member.
“My mother-in-law told me about it, and I just came in and asked,” Samano said. “You have to come in and fill out an application.”
It can take a few months to match a learner with a tutor, Perry said.
Samona waited three months for a tutor whose schedule matched her own, Samano said.
“My other [student] was four months,” Perry said. “We definitely have more learners than we have tutors.”
Diane Leverich is the coordinator for the adult literacy program at the San Benito library. There are 27 tutors and 29 students in the program, Leverich said, and six students are currently on a waiting list.
English language learners express interest in the program on a steady basis, Leverich said.
“It’s getting a little more difficult to have volunteers to step forward,” Leverich said. “Are people volunteered out?”
Coordinators for other literacy programs in the state are experiencing the same problem, Leverich said.
“We all talk about this,” Leverich said, “and they’re all experiencing that in their particular program. I suspect it’s more general than just literacy programs.”
Proficiency in English opens up many opportunities, Leverich said.
“Now they can fill out an employment application,” Leverich said. “They can help their children with their homework.”
A Latino man who studied English through the program was able to earn a certificate to operate heavy machinery, Leverich said.
“That was a pretty important goal for him and he made it,” Leverich said. “It’s opened up new jobs for him in Salinas.”
The majority of students are Latinos who speak English as a second language, Leverich said.
“There’s very few in our program that are American born that haven’t learned to read very well,” Leverich said.
English is a difficult language to learn, Leverich said.
“There are rules, but so many exceptions it boggles the mind,” Leverich said. “If you’re having to learn English as an adult, it is very difficult.”
The adult literacy program is designed to help those who already speak some English, Leverich said.
“It can be very little, but we have to have something to work with,” Leverich said.
Leverich offers regular training sessions for those interested in learning more about being a tutor.
“We base the presentation about learning who the learners are,” Leverich said, “Sensitivities they should have culturally. They have a chance to ask questions and to review all the materials that we have.”
Volunteers needed
A tutor training session will be held for interested volunteers Saturday, April 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Barbara Memorial Room at the San Benito County Free Library, 470 Fifth St. For more information, call Diane Leverich at 636-4107.
