Hollister
– When Kazumi Ito, 33, first came to Hollister from Japan six
months ago, she couldn’t read in English to her son. Now, with help
from an adult literacy tutoring program at San Benito County Free
Library, Ito and her 5-year-old son take turns reading Richard
Scarry and Dr. Seuss books aloud to eac
h other.
Hollister – When Kazumi Ito, 33, first came to Hollister from Japan six months ago, she couldn’t read in English to her son. Now, with help from an adult literacy tutoring program at San Benito County Free Library, Ito and her 5-year-old son take turns reading Richard Scarry and Dr. Seuss books aloud to each other.
“He likes reading books,” Ito said, “so I want to try to read English now. At home, we read in English.”
Since Ito’s move, she has been tutored in reading by Diane Leverich, a volunteer who is heading up a new Adult Literacy Program at the San Benito County Free Library. The program will provide free tutoring services for adults in the Hollister area.
The literacy program was modeled from a similar one at the San Juan Bautista library. Nora Conte, the county librarian, explained that while the library is trying to re-launch the program, funds are limited. The library needs money to purchase workbooks for the tutoring.
The program already has a waiting list of more than 10 people interested in being tutored in reading. Leverich said she is hoping to get enough volunteer tutors to meet this demand.
“Really anyone who has a passion for reading and wants to share it (should volunteer),” Leverich said. Tutors do not need any previous experience, and it requires a commitment of only a one hour a week. Those who are interested should attend a tutor training class on Saturday from 9:30am to 3pm at the library.
The program emphasizes vocabulary, comprehension, fluency through workbooks, reading aloud and even hands-on activities. Leverich described going with Ito on a trip to the grocery store.
“We spent two hours at Safeway looking at and reading cans,” Leverich said. “These are the kind of practical applications we can do.”
Ito explained that this was helpful because while she enjoyed grocery shopping, she often had difficulty finding certain food items because she didn’t know the words. Ito said she enjoys simply talking with Leverich and discussing words. Every week, she brings a list of words she read in the newspaper but didn’t understand so that Leverich can explain them to her.
Learners come at many different levels. Some, like Ito, know basic grammar rules and most words, but wish to improve their fluency. But others have further to come.
“Some of my learners knew all or most of the letters of the alphabet, but not the right order,” Leverich said.
Leverich emphasizes the first part of the training is understanding the learners. She said that although it is not an English as a second language course, the majority of the learners speak a different language in their homes. Many of the students simply fell through the cracks after moving around a lot when they were younger, she said.
The Adult Literacy Program is one of four programs that Conte is trying to organize at the library under the new Family Learning Center. In February, the library is also launching an hour-long story time for children; a “floating books bag,” which will give family service groups the opportunity to bring books to and from houses when they visit; and a homework club.
Alice Joy covers education for the Free Lance. She can be reached at 831.637.5566 ext. 336 or at [email protected].
