Literacy program available for non-English speaking citizens
John Szymanski
Lehigh Acres resident Araceley Herrera is on her way to being able to speak and understand English.
Spanish is her native language, but she has been attending classes through Literacy of Lehigh
Once a week for at least two hours, Herrera meets with an English tutor – John Szymanski – who is a program volunteer.
He said she is doing very well.
Herrera has discovered that the one-on-one sessions make it is easier for her to learn to read, speak and understand English.
Araceley Herrera
The Literacy Council Gulf Coast, which is locally based out of?Lehigh Community?Services, is in need of volunteer tutors.
Herrera said learning to speak English is helping her to become independent.
“It is the national language of my country now and I need to be able to speak it in all things, such as finding a job and being able to speak to English-speaking people in the store and with future contacts,” she said.
With a business major from college, Herrera wants to use her skills to work for a business establishment.
Szymanski said that he enjoys what he does and urges others in Lehigh to come forward and become an English tutor.
MEL TOADVINE Araceley Herrera, left, and John Szymanski during a tutoring session. Szymanski is teaching English to Herrera.
The qualifications to become one are simple. You must be at least 18 years old and want to help non-English speakers learn English.
Knowledge of other languages is not needed, nor is any previous teaching experience.
Special books are used by the tutors and the books explain in simple terms how to use your skills to tutor others.
Szymanski said it is easy for anyone who wants to help.
Rae Nicely, with the Lehigh Community Services, said there is a long list of Spanish-speaking residents who are waiting for a tutor.
During season, seasonal residents help serve as tutors.
It has been estimated that as many as 40 percent or more people living in Lehigh Acres can only speak Spanish.
Valentina Coconubo, a receptionist with Lehigh Community Services, agreed with the figure.
“When folks come in and are finally accepted, they are given an assessment program to see at which level they may begin in learning English,” she said.
Maria Otero is head of the literacy program.
Contact Lehigh Community Services from 9 to 11:45 a.m. or from 1 to 5 p.m. for more information about the program.
“Spanish residents who want to learn English or English-speaking residents who want to teach Spanish should make that call,” Coconubo said.
“One of our senior tutors, Marg Robinson, can teach a class in the agency’s large meeting room, with two or more students,” she said.
“It’s really something that has become very important here with our Spanish people who have come to Lehigh to live,” Coconubo said.
-
- Araceley Herrera
-
- MEL TOADVINE Araceley Herrera, left, and John Szymanski during a tutoring session. Szymanski is teaching English to Herrera.
Literacy program available for non-English speaking citizens
John Szymanski
Lehigh Acres resident Araceley Herrera is on her way to being able to speak and understand English.
Spanish is her native language, but she has been attending classes through Literacy of Lehigh
Once a week for at least two hours, Herrera meets with an English tutor – John Szymanski – who is a program volunteer.
He said she is doing very well.
Herrera has discovered that the one-on-one sessions make it is easier for her to learn to read, speak and understand English.
Araceley Herrera
The Literacy Council Gulf Coast, which is locally based out of?Lehigh Community?Services, is in need of volunteer tutors.
Herrera said learning to speak English is helping her to become independent.
“It is the national language of my country now and I need to be able to speak it in all things, such as finding a job and being able to speak to English-speaking people in the store and with future contacts,” she said.
With a business major from college, Herrera wants to use her skills to work for a business establishment.
Szymanski said that he enjoys what he does and urges others in Lehigh to come forward and become an English tutor.
MEL TOADVINE Araceley Herrera, left, and John Szymanski during a tutoring session. Szymanski is teaching English to Herrera.
The qualifications to become one are simple. You must be at least 18 years old and want to help non-English speakers learn English.
Knowledge of other languages is not needed, nor is any previous teaching experience.
Special books are used by the tutors and the books explain in simple terms how to use your skills to tutor others.
Szymanski said it is easy for anyone who wants to help.
Rae Nicely, with the Lehigh Community Services, said there is a long list of Spanish-speaking residents who are waiting for a tutor.
During season, seasonal residents help serve as tutors.
It has been estimated that as many as 40 percent or more people living in Lehigh Acres can only speak Spanish.
Valentina Coconubo, a receptionist with Lehigh Community Services, agreed with the figure.
“When folks come in and are finally accepted, they are given an assessment program to see at which level they may begin in learning English,” she said.
Maria Otero is head of the literacy program.
Contact Lehigh Community Services from 9 to 11:45 a.m. or from 1 to 5 p.m. for more information about the program.
“Spanish residents who want to learn English or English-speaking residents who want to teach Spanish should make that call,” Coconubo said.
“One of our senior tutors, Marg Robinson, can teach a class in the agency’s large meeting room, with two or more students,” she said.
“It’s really something that has become very important here with our Spanish people who have come to Lehigh to live,” Coconubo said.
-
- Araceley Herrera
-
- MEL TOADVINE Araceley Herrera, left, and John Szymanski during a tutoring session. Szymanski is teaching English to Herrera.
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