The following stories are about some of the basic literacy and English Language Learners at Skyline Literacy. The people are real, but the names have been changed.

Basic Literacy Learner Stories

Linda

Linda, a 52-year old grandmother reads at a fourth-grade level. Her personal goals are to read to her grandchildren, improve her reading comprehension, and eventually obtain her GED. Her tutor reports that she read a chapter of a book to Linda and discovered that Linda had never been read to before. After reading to Linda, the tutor asked her to try and read the same chapter. She asked Linda to choose a book that she would enjoy reading from the Skyline Literacy Resource Library. In the brief period of time that Linda has met with her tutor – two hours every week – she has begun to read her grandson’s favorite book to him. Recently, her grandson has started to read it back to her. Linda’s tutor says, “I’m finding my way little by little and am gaining better understanding into Linda’s specific interests and learning style.”

Bobby

Bobby came to Skyline Literacy because his mother told him about our services and encouraged him to come. She called our office to let us know that he was going to come and begged a staff member to teach him how to read because: “I’m tired of reading and filling out applications for both Bobby and his father who can’t read either.” Bobby, 22 years old, has been meeting with his tutor for about one year at the Skyline Literacy office two times a week, one hour each time. He was pre-tested at the first-grade reading level but after being post assessed just recently and showed measurable progress. Bobby left school at the age of thirteen because “his teacher didn’t like him and he chose to hang out with his cousins,” who to this day still cannot read. In fact, the only one who reads in his family is his 8-year-old niece and his mother. Bobby recently received a Learner Merit Award for his impeccable attendance record and enthusiasm for improving his reading skills.

Larry

At 32, Larry, was referred by his Community Service Board caseworker to Skyline Literacy. At the age of 17, he had to leave high school without graduating because he was diagnosed with mental health illness. Larry’s goal was to obtain his GED but he needed to be tutored one-on-one with a Skyline Literacy trained tutor due to stress factors that did not allow him to learn in a classroom situation. In less than one year, Larry took the GED exam at the Dayton Learning Center and scored in the top 25 percentile nationwide. Larry received the Outstanding Learner Award from Skyline Literacy in the summer of 2009.

English Learner Stories

Rosy

When Rosy began with her tutor she was pre assessed as a high intermediate learner but her last post assessment showed her as an advanced learner.

ESOL One-on-One Tutor, Gail O’Donnell’s comments:
We will be doing Lesson 130 on Wednesday October 7th. I think Rosy is doing so well, but she isn’t so sure. She wants to know everything! And I am so amazed at her determination and progress. If there should be anyone on the fence as to tutoring or not, they should meet my Rosy!

ESOL Small-Group Instruction tutor Pat Wilkins’ comments:
Since I am a tutor in a group setting with different students and varying attendance, it is hard to address each student’s personal goals, but I am encouraged by their willingness to work hard and by their enthusiasm.

Tara

“I’ve been enjoying getting to know Tara and her family. Today Tara and I spent two hours together. We met at the DMV because she wanted to ask them about when she could take the driving test again. Then she practiced driving in a parking lot for a while. We are getting to know each other and I’m hoping this is helping her feel more comfortable with English. She asked me again about a church; I think she wants her children to go to church. Please tell me if you know of a church she might feel comfortable in, and I will go with her to see if she likes it. Next week, on Monday, we are going to our children’s school to have lunch with them. Also, she asked if I could help her with citizenship. This would be very interesting for me, and I would be glad to help her. Can you help guide me in the right direction?”

- Comments from a tutor about her learner.