LEARN

The Spring LEARN Meeting will be on April 3, 2012, from 2-4 p.m. at the Plainfield Public Library. For location, visit http://plainfield.lib.il.us/

Agenda:
Introductions
Future of LEARN
Resource Sharing

At this meeting we will be discussing the direction that members would like to see the LEARN group taking. In 2010 LEARN hosted a workshop called “Serving the ESL Patron 101.” Should LEARN plan more of these workshops? If so, what topics should be covered?

Rather than plan workshops, maybe LEARN should continue to seek out speakers who can talk about topics related to ESL. These might include searching for ESL grants, marketing to ESL patrons, etc. What other topics might it include?

At least once a year we like to share ideas. Please bring an ESL resource (book, DVD, CD, etc.) that you purchased that you feel is particularly good. Alternatively you could mention a good website, a way of organizing the collection, a bookmark or brochure you created, or some other idea related to ESL which you have tried.

Please let me know if you think you can attend the meeting, joep@ippl.info.

I hope to see you all there!

Joe Popowitch
Reference Librarian
Indian Prairie Public Library
401 Plainfield Road, Darien IL 60561
630-887-8760 ext. 240
joep@ippl.info

Have you joined the the Literacy DuPage “Laps for Literacy Team” yet?

The Human Race 5K Run/Walk is on Saturday, April 21 at 9:00 a.m.

Registration is now open and spots are limited!

To register, click here or visit www.dupagehumanrace.org
Be sure to choose Literacy DuPage as your team!

The 5K event (or two mile fitness walk), hosted by Giving DuPage, will take place in the Danada Forest Preserve in Wheaton.

Registration for the event is $25 of which 60% is returned to us.

Once registered for The Human Race, you’ll receive instructions on how to create your own web page to send to friends and family to obtain pledges and spread the word about Literacy DuPage. Each runner or walker can set a personal fundraising goal of $50, $75, or $100. It’s simple, just ask a few friends to sponsor you for $10 – it only takes 10 people to reach a goal of $100.

Our goal is to have a team of 75-100 participants raise $10,000. We will receive 90% of our pledges from Giving DuPage!

Spots are limited, sign up today before it’s sold out!

P.S. Know others who would be interested? Get a group together for some great fun, food, and prizes – all for a worthy cause.

This Conference is geared toward tutors and students, but it may have some useful information that libraries could use. Check it out at http://www.lvillinois.org/OntheRoadtoLiteracy.asp

The Literacy Volunteers of Illinois are hosting the “On the Road to Literacy Conference” on Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Location: The University of Illinois at Chicago Center for Literacy
Education, Performing Arts and Social Work Building, 1040 W. Harrison,
Chicago, IL 60607.

Whether you’re staff, a tutor, or an adult learner, there is always something for everyone at LVI and the UIC Center for Literacy’s On The Road To Literacy conference.

Twenty-plus workshops in a variety of areas will explore strategies, techniques, materials and games to build your vocabulary, pronunciation, conversation, comprehension, reading, writing, and computational skills in or out of tutoring sessions.

The Spring LEARN Meeting will be on April 3, 2012, from 2-4 p.m. at the Plainfield Public Library. For location, visit http://plainfield.lib.il.us/

Agenda:
Introductions
Future of LEARN
Resource Sharing

At this meeting we will be discussing the direction that members would like to see the LEARN group taking. In 2010 LEARN hosted a workshop called “Serving the ESL Patron 101.” Should LEARN plan more of these workshops? If so, what topics should be covered?

Rather than plan workshops, maybe LEARN should continue to seek out speakers who can talk about topics related to ESL. These might include searching for ESL grants, marketing to ESL patrons, etc. What other topics might it include?

At least once a year we like to share ideas. Please bring an ESL resource (book, DVD, CD, etc.) that you purchased that you feel is particularly good. Alternatively you could mention a good website, a way of organizing the collection, a bookmark or brochure you created, or some other idea related to ESL which you have tried.

Please let me know if you think you can attend the meeting, joep@ippl.info.

I hope to see you all there!

Joe Popowitch
Reference Librarian
Indian Prairie Public Library
401 Plainfield Road, Darien IL 60561
630-887-8760 ext. 240
joep@ippl.info

People Educating People (PEP) is the volunteer component of the ABE/GED/ESL Department at College of DuPage. PEP has been supporting adult learners since 1982.

PEP’s mission is to equip adult students with confidence and skills necessary for success in daily life.

PEP tutors work with adult students in the following subjects: reading, writing and basic math for persons without a high school diploma and beginning ESL. The tutors work with students one-on-one, small group or in a classroom setting.

Tutors are needed in 18 communities throughout DuPage County.  PEP requires all tutors to complete a 12-hour training series prior to working in the program.  Our next training series will be in February 2012.

We do understands that life can be busy for all of us.  If you or someone you know has the time to tutor one of our many students in need of reading, writing, math and English assistance, please contact Ashley at 630.942.2209.

Thank you!

Ruta Jonusaitis, Student Services Coordinator/PEP Volunteer Tutor Program

Calvary Lutheran Church is preparing for the next session of its Conversational English Class that begins on January 11 and runs through May 23, 2012. It is a small group format, informal friendly atmosphere, which includes reading and speaking practice. Refreshments are served. A basic understanding of English is required. Registration and supplies are only $10 for the semester. People can visit the class first and register later.

This term the College of Dupage has changed the textbook series they use for the Adult ESL program. They are now using the Cambridge University Press series called Ventures. It includes the following levels: Basic, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. These book levels correspond to the COD class levels from 0/1 to 6.

I just spoke with the representative from Cambridge University Press. She said that students can access the materials for Ventures at the Student Arcade. This includes the audio.

For libraries that still want to purchase print copies for students, she recommends buying the value pack for each level, which should include the student book with CD and the workbook. For the basic level, there is an extra “literacy” workbook which you might want, too.

We are fortunate to be meeting at Arlington Heights Library for our fall meeting. They have an excellent ESL program. I hope you can all make it.

Below is the agenda for the meeting. We will be omitting the portion of the meeting which we usually devote to sharing resources in favor of discussing what we would like the future of LEARN to be (i.e How do members hope to benefit from LEARN, or what can LEARN do to best help members provide and promote ESL?).

LEARN Fall Gathering
Date             Tuesday, October 11, 2011 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Place            Arlington Heights Memorial Library
500 N. Dunton Avenue
Arlington Heights, IL  60004-5966
847-506-2632
Host            Katalin Zsupan, ESL/Literacy Specialist
Email: kzsupan@ahml.info

http://ahml.info/services/esl_literacy

Note: Please see the AHML ESL Web site before our meeting.

Agenda

2:00 p.m.        LEARN attendees meet on main floor ESL/Literacy area

2:00 – 2:15 p.m.    Tour of ESL collection and Learning Lab

2:15 – 2:30 p.m.    2nd floor meeting room for refreshments/networking

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.    ESL at AHML: presentation by Katalin Zsupan
-    overview of AHML ESL program
-    Why volunteer?
-    Tea and Talk
-    Book discussion groups
-    ESL student testimonials
-    Good print and software resources/vendors

3:30 – 4:00 p.m.    Open discussion
-    Future role of LEARN – brainstorming session about the needs of LEARN members