Voices of Project Literacy - Watertown Free Public Library

When I first became a Project Literacy volunteer, I was excited but concerned. Howwould I come up with weekly lesson plans? Well, it turns out that my student made it easyfor me. We begin each lesson with a conversation about how her week has been and whatproblems she has encountered. Based on what she tells me, I simply focus on her areas ofconcern and design the lesson around them, still incorporating practice ingrammar, pronunciation, comprehension, etc. We have covered topics such as going to adoctor, flying to Thailand and navigating through customs with a three-year-old son,talking to a preschool teacher and understanding the American school system, searchingfor a new apartment, understanding telephone take-out orders, and understanding slangencountered in a restaurant.From our weekly conversations, I see that many things I take for granted can be realobstacles for English language learners. So, while I have taught my student English andAmerican customs, she has given me a new sensitivity to people who are non-nativespeakers. And I have the opportunity to learn about Thai culture from an expert!– Linda Bound, TutorI have studied in this program for about three years, and my English language ability hasdeveloped from before I began to study. When I go outside I have more confidence to talkor ask other people questions. Before I studied I just said yes or no when they asked me,or I had to hide or run away when they came to talk to me.I like this project not just because they gave me knowledge but they gave me the bestteacher. She doesn’t teach me only the English language but she gives me advice on thingsI didn’t know. I can use her advice to do many things in everyday life and that is reallyhelpful to me.Project Literacy isn’t just good for me butit is also good for my friends. Project Literacygives opportunity to so many people becauseit is open for everyone. I am so happy that thelibrary will still keep going with the project.It is a really good program.– Luckana Penwutikor, Student13