|
"We think it's those closet friends or relatives who will bring the people in. Perhaps they'll read this notice and hopefully say to the person they know who can't read, Here's your opportunity... and I'll go with you the first couple of times, until you feel comfortable,'" Steckelberg said.
The program is sponsored by Southwestern Community College, but since desks and a classroom atmosphere can sometimes inhibit older students, the comfortable livingroom style setting of the FRC was selected.
The classes are free; the only investment is time. All tutors, like Jane Kneeler, are volunteers.
"I enjoy helping on a one-to-one situation, rather than teach to a large group," said Kneeler, who has helped adults receive their GED. "To me, it's so rewarding because these adults know what they want - they have a goal of learning to read. It's not something forced on them, but something they chose to do. Like Bonnie said, they come when they are motivated."
One lady comes because she's motivated to learn to read the Bible. Another lady, who loves to cook, wants to read cookbooks.
Each person learning to read has his or her own tutor. Steckelberg uses the Laubach method - which is, she said, "starting with the known, the spoken word, and moving to the unknown, the written word. The emphasis is on learning by association rather than rote memory."
The series teaches basic reading and writing skills in a sequential and structured way. The learner progresses from the sounds and regular spellings of the consonants to those of the short vowels, the long vowels, and finally, to irregular spellings and more difficult reading and writing skills.
"It's a lot of repetition, but it's a system that's been very successful," said Steckelberg.
You can see results even after the first lesson, said Kneeler. "It's very rewarding to see the look on their faces when they start to grasp that they are actually reading for the first time ever."
Years ago, Steckelberg said, adults could function without reading, but in today's world, it's much more difficult.
"Even the guy at the lawn mower repair shop uses a computer now," she said. "In one way, you really have to admire the adults who can't read because they've accomplished something we haven't been able to do - survive in today's world without reading."
One of the adults learning to read had a caregiver who recently died.
"Now that person was suddenly on his own, and he didn't know how to write a check, pay bills or anything because he couldn't read. But now that he is on his own, he is forced to learn how to read," Steckelberg said. "Suddenly being on your own and taking responsibility can be a real motivator in learning to read. We've seen this before with widows who were used to their husbands taking care of everything. It can be a difficult adjustment being on your own, especially if you aren't literate."
For those adults who can read, but who would like to read better, tutoring is also available on a one-on-one basis.
If the Tuesday/Thursday schedule does not work for the individual, other arrangements can be made, Steckelberg said.
Books for the class have been donated by the Jackson County Public Library.
For more information on the program, call 586-2845.
|
