A Member of ProLiteracy www.proliteracy.org www.southcoastliteracy.com

Fall 2018

MESSENGER

All 24 Center Directors send data about tutors and students at their centers to be included in the final report that SCLC sends to ProLiteracy. This information is then combined with data from all around the world where ProLiteracy is present. In the U.S., it is used to influence legislation concerning adult educa-tion matters, including English Language Development. SCLC also uses the data for public relations and fundraising purposes.

Each year, SCLC’s numbers for the Annual Report are more amazing, especially since we are an all-volunteer non-profit. A few examples from the 2017-2018 report that will impress you are:

231 volunteers, including those who do not tutor, but have other important jobs.

26,942 volunteer hours served…a rough accounting…probably more.

88% tutor retention…very dedicated volunteers!

1,266 students registered and attended at least 12 hours of instruction, mostly in small groups of 3 to 5 students.

Asian (577), Caucasian (301), and Hispanics (230) along with other ethnicities and races enrolled.

More than half of the students hold college degrees.

If you are interested in more information from this report, contact Barbara Looney, Vice President of SCLC at barblooney@yahoo.com.

Submitted by Barbara Looney, Vice President Administration

You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.” ~Winston Churchill

Check Out These Numbers!

SCLC MESSENGER FALL 2018

2

Sharing Our Gifts

On October 6, 2018, tutors from Mariners Church hosted the fall “Sharing Our Gifts” Tutor Workshop at the new Community Center. The Center was beautifully decorated in fall colors. Flags of many nations hung behind the podium and at the entrance. Harriet Kelly gave a brief introduction. Then Camila Santos gave a

demonstration of what it feels like to be a language learner by teaching a seg-ment on Learning Portuguese as a For-eign Language. After that, participants broke into groups for the table talks. At the break Peggy McAllister welcomed everyone to the new Mariners Church Community Center.

The Workshop was in a table talk format. Participants picked two talks to attend from the eleven choices available. The subjects and presenters were: 1. ESL for the Workplace (Lesley Bindloss) 2. Using “WhatsApp” (the popular worldwide texting app, to communicate efficiently with students) Peggy McAllis-ter) 3. Teaching with Pictures (Jerry Kostka and Sandy Williams) 4. Readers Theater, reading aloud from sto-

ries in script form to gain fluency and understanding (Harriet Kelly), 5. Assisting Students with Pronunciation (Lynn Osth) 6. Readworks and Learning Upgrade, two Internet sites for ESL and Literacy Materials (Vicki Sommer) 7. Internet Resources for Teaching ESL (Joan Nadeau) 8. Teach-ing Beginners (Erika Feuer) 9. Language Unplugged, conversation-driven learning based on students’ conversations without using a book (Camila Santos) 10. Side by Side - Expanded Tips on using the Teachers Guide effectively for Expansion Activities (Connie Minyard) 11. Using TPR* to Teach Beginners, leading students to use physical movement to respond to verbal input. (Sharon Wiggins and Linda Ito)

More than one hundred tutors were present at the workshop!

Submitted by Joan Nadeau, Vice President ESL Programs

Another Successful Workshop!

Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart. Elizabeth Andrew

SCLC MESSENGER FALL 2018

3

Center Directors Meet for Pizza and Palaver

Community Outreach

SCLC Center Directors kicked off the year with a fun and informative meeting at Mission Hills Church in Mission Viejo.

President Harriet Kelly introduced new centers, Trinity Presbyterian Church in North Tustin and Laguna Woods Village in Laguna Woods, and reviewed a packet of important forms and guidelines for their use.

A series of tips on using smart phones for ESL highlighted the meeting. Jerry Kostka talked about her experience with Podcasts. Students Betty Carrillo

and Yoko Tanaka discussed their favorite App, Duolingo. Scout Hut CD Vicki Sommer gave a powerful projector presentation of ReadWorks. And Mariner CD Peggy McAllister introduced WhatsApp, an easy way to text worldwide.

Congratulations to Tony Maganini, a tutor at the Dana Point Library and retired management executive, who was elected as the new Center Director Representative.

After door prizes including Starbucks drinkware and cell-phone accessories were delivered, the group adjourned for pizza and more palaver. Here's to another successful year for SCLC!

Submitted by Jerry Kostka, Past Center Director Representative

Sharing with Others

On September 12, South Coast Literacy Council shared information with parents dropping off or picking up their children at the Early Childhood Learning Center on Smoketree in Irvine. Each year SCLC is invited to do this at one of the “Resource Wednesday” events. This year tutor Sue Rice and student Cong Rong Lin from the Northwood Community Center assisted Joan Nadeau in speaking with the parents and shar-ing the materials SCLC tutors use. Information about classes and locations was given to parents from many countries including Iran, Turkey, Palestine, Sudan, Vietnam, Somalia, Taiwan, Mongolia and China.

Submitted by Joan Nadeau

SCLC MESSENGER FALL 2018

4

Around the Centers! Laguna Woods Village Center

It all began in spring 2018 when the Geneva Presbyter-ian Church Center was asked to close in June. Through friends, SCLC Board members began a conversation with Laguna Woods Village (LWV) Recreation Staff.

With enthusiasm, the LWV staff began planning with us. ESL had been the most requested program by resi-dents. In mid-July, Joan Nadeau, Barbara Looney and I offered an orientation meeting for potential tutors. Over 60 Laguna Woods' residents as well as some Ge-neva Presbyterian tutors attended. In August, we offered training with Ilene Slapin as our lead discussing Side by Side and provid-ing some tips for starting with a group. Two participants raised their hands to

become our amazing directors! Diane Meadow and Teri Kelsall took the reins and began planning. Their organizational planning was phenomenal.

Ninety students showed up on September 14! The room is best for less than 30 but these two directors did an amazing job of problem solving. At least eight tables were set out on the patio. Students left with smiles on their faces and new tutors were heard to say, "I didn't know this would be so much fun!" and "I'm tired too. I understand how much energy it takes to be a tutor or student!"

Classes have now been underway for over a month. The morning session has 60-70 stu-

dents and the afternoon, 20-30 students. There are over 30 tutors involved. Directors take attendance, talk to students and tutors, and move around to different groups and sit for a while. In a short time, the LWV Center has become a "well-greased wheel" thanks to Diane and Teri and committed tutors.

I would love to have tutors and directors visit from other centers, but any of us from "the outside" have special passes for which we had to apply. I would be glad to find out a way for visitors to come for a one-time visit if you are interested. Please contact me.

In the meantime, for all of us committed to our community members through our classes, THANK YOU!!

Harriet Kelly SCLC President

Over 60 prospective tutors attended the orientation meeting!

SCLC MESSENGER FALL 2018

5

Trinity United Presbyterian

University Park Library

On July 12th, as a follow-up to an Earthquake and Emergency Preparation topic, the Advanced Conversa-tion class invited a guest speaker, Bob Spillar from the Irvine Emergency Preparedness Program. Barbara Looney and students from other classes were also invited to attend.

Bob presented an informative video guide on things to do before, during and after a disaster in Orange County. He came dressed in his CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) uniform; enacted an emer-gency situation; shared his emergency kit for the car/home; and motivated the class with emergency items as rewards for correct answers to questions. They enjoyed it!

Bob was very engaging while giving pertinent safety information on what to expect, as this was a new experience to many of the students. This is an essential part of our lives today to be educated in safety procedures. It was a great educational presentation! I would en-courage all to consider Bob for his expertise.

Submitted by Lisa Kaichi, Tutor at University Park Library

"Trinity English Center is very excited to be joining with the South Coast Literacy Council. In the short time we have been involved, we have learned many new things. It is great to be in a place where we can share our experiences and ideas to improve our programs. The ESL program at Trinity started in 1965, at a time when ESL teaching materials were almost non-existent. Today we feel extremely fortunate to see the wide variety of resources that are available to us.

We currently operate with 12 classes and about 20 tutors and helpers, every Tuesday morning. We try to offer classes for all levels of learners. We have a 3 hour program with a 45 minute break in the mid-dle. The photo is from one of our “assemblies”. During our assemblies, we make announcements, sing together, talk about our cultural holidays and have time for refreshments and conversation. In our as-semblies, we have class presentations as much as possible. Each week, a different class prepares refresh-ments for all – which is a group exercise that requires use of English.

In some years, we have had as many as 15 different nationalities represented. We feel that part of our job is to build bridges across the barriers that separate us. There is a lot more than just English learning that is going on in our classes."

Submitted by Joe Weatherstone Center Director

SCLC MESSENGER FALL 2018

6

Voyagers HOME

Spanish 7th Day Adventist Church Center

The year was 1986, and I was just 5 years old, but there are still many parts of my parents’ immigration journey from Hong Kong to the United States that I remember vividly. The struggle to buy a car as they used their broken English, the relief of finding a Chinese-speaking landlord who rented us our first home and the difficulty of adjusting to the newness of everything that surrounded us. From the grocery store to getting me enrolled in school—every task that a native English speaker finds effortless, was a monumen-tal task for my parents.

Thankfully, as a child, learning English was easy. Simply being surrounded by American friends and watching cartoons helped me get caught up quickly. Now, I think about how language played such an important role in the years that fol-lowed. It allowed me to do well in school, participate in extra curricular activities, graduate from college and—who would’ve thought: become a television news anchor one day.

That’s what’s so powerful about the SCLC programs in Orange County. As volunteers, it’s a mere 3-hour weekly commitment, but I believe the impact continues far beyond the classroom walls. We’re enabling our students to become confident, build community and thrive.

It’s my first time serving, but already I’m hooked on the kindness, friendships and camaraderie in our Voyagers classroom. We have students from literally all over the world, yet there is an undeniable sense of unity, togetherness and support. It’s a beautiful thing to be a part of.

I think back to how much my parents would’ve treasured a class like this. To see familiar, friendly faces every week would’ve been priceless. And to learn English for free? It would’ve been too good to be true!

It’s a cliché, but so worth reiterating: as a volunteer, I really do get so much more than what I put in. I can’t wait to see how our students take their new language skills to do amazing things.

Submitted by Sophie Dichter, Tutor at Voyagers HOME

I love the story Connie and Bob O’Leary tell about how they moved their tutoring center from St. Joachim Church to the Spanish Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) in Costa Mesa. Knowing they were losing the space on Monday evenings at St. Joachim’s, and following up on a tip from a student that there might be an opportunity for them at SDA, Bob and Connie were driving by to check it out after class one evening. The lights were on so they knocked on the door of the church. They explained to the person who opened the door why they were there. He told them to wait right there, he would get the pastor who was in a board meeting. The pastor came, they explained their mission to him, and he told them to wait right there, he would be right back. He left and returned shortly to tell them the board had agreed to let them use space at the church for their ESL classes. A few weeks later Connie and Bob were tutoring at their new lo-cation. What a story!

Submitted by Barbara Looney

SCLC MESSENGER FALL 2018

7

Welcome New Tutors! It is exciting every time we welcome new tutors into our South Coast Literacy family. Due to time con-straints, new tutor certificates were not presented at the October workshop but will be presented by

center directors at their locations. The following tutors were recognized for earning their Certificate of Completion of the South Coast Literacy Tutor Training:

Dana Point: Sharon Miller, Toni Rioux Foothill Ranch: Jo Ann Buchanan

Grace Hills: Margi Kenoyer, Lou Ann Noren, Mohammed Saebi Mariners 9:30 Tutors: Carol Davies, Connie Minyard, John Nann, Kirk Orahood, Li Chen, Lonnie Grabham,

Socorro Nann, Yuan Chai Mariners 4:30 Tutors: Babette Faure, Brian Nann, Camila Santos, Carole Lindgren, Daniel Bergman.

Pete Neely, Ruth Zepeda Mariners 6:30 Tutors: Bill Lazor, Christina Wang, James Nguyen, Karen Fildes, Kim Yun (Sook-Yung),

Kristie Sykes , Mark Yao , Pete Fildes , Roman Valoff , Sue Rawlings , Victoria Kim Mission Hills: Kendra Davis, Allison Hoier, Steve Makin, Steve McCune

Presbyterian Church of the Master: Penny Stein Scout Hut: Carolyn Toohey

Voyagers: Sarah Cherukury, Michelle Haas, Rico Paterno, Susi Poole, Maggie Sanchez, Patty Virzi, Sophie Dichter, Mark Jillson. Don Rueter, RoseAnn Rueter

Congratulations to each of you! Experienced tutors, it is your job to offer support and respond to questions a new tutor might ask. Our new tutors bring fresh ideas and lots of enthusiasm. We all continue to learn

together!

Mike Larkin and his wife Lisa Sun, a former student at SCLC classes, visited Joan Nadeau, one of Lisa’s for-mer tutors. They had been visiting Lisa's brother, a UCI professor. Mike was once recruited as a tutor when he was sorely needed, and he has continued to contribute to SCLC with a monthly donation after they moved to Washington a few years ago. On this particular visit they kept Joan entertained for a couple of hours while she was waiting for the third visit from the dryer repairman.

Submitted by Barbara Looney

Welcome Old Friends!

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” ~Oscar Wilde

SCLC MESSENGER FALL 2018

8

Tutors who use the Internet know that you can lose hours searching for topics of interest or pictures to use with your students. Please remember that on the southcoastliteracy.com website under the "Volunteer" link, there are many resources that directly link to helpful websites. You will find a wide variety of connections for activities for all levels and for all types of topics.

A few of my favorite websites include EL Civics for ESL Students, Dave's ESL Cafe, and Lantern Fish. Whether you want to build a bingo game, practice grammar structures in a fun way, or celebrate American holidays, you will find unending resources on our site or on the Internet.

How about using a Thanksgiving dinner picture for telling or writing a story. There are numerous websites with free graphics. Look at the vocabulary you can introduce with even classic pictures.

Submitted by Harriet Kelly

Remember Our Website Resources!

Teaching Tips ProLiteracy Ideas

SCLC's membership in ProLiteracy offers several advantages to our organization. Among other opportuni-ties, we receive two publications, "Notebook" and "Voices, Changing Lives Through Adult Literacy" Here is a teaching idea from the current "Notebook."

"STAND and TALKS" (ideas from Van Der Werf)

The first purpose is to get students out of their seats and to talk to someone they do not sit next to. Let the students choose their partner and let them know it is a short experience.

Give each partnership one picture with a potential for description, actions, vocabulary, etc. Consider model-ing with one student so others get the idea. Give them guidelines of what to talk about with their picture. For the first time, monitor for timing and listen for the their ongoing conversation.

When they return to their seats, they can share their experience with the group. Perhaps they have ques-tions about some vocabulary.

This could be repeated each class with new pictures, different partners, etc. Or how about a current topic such as how is voting done in your home country, what do you know about voting in the US? (NOT to be a political discussion.) How about pairs talking about reviewing

last week's lesson? Ideas are unending! Adapted from "Notebook, Fall 2018", by Harriet Kelly

SCLC MESSENGER FALL 2018

9

Essential Emails May Not Reach You! Center Directors • Tutors • All Volunteers

Please add sclcesl@gmail.com

to your accepted inbox emails.

On your contacts, enter South Coast Literacy Council as the

name of a new contact. For email address, enter sclcesl@gmail.com. When you receive a message, this is how

it will look in your inbox:

South Coast Literacy Council sclcesl@gmail.com.

Newsletters, directories, invitations, etc.,

are all sent from this account.

Don’t miss out! Don't let these important

emails end up in junk email!

SCLC MESSENGER FALL 2018

10

Student Letters

SCLC MESSENGER FALL 2018

11

Website Connections

Upcoming Events

Visit the SCLC Website today for excellent materials and resources: WWW.SOUTHCOASTLITERACY.COM

SCLC Blog:

https://sclctutortips.wordpress.com

SCLC Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/South-Coast-Literacy-Council-SCLC-742691192517121

November 17 Board Meeting 10:00 AM El Toro Library Community Room

December 1 Board & CD Holiday Party Time/Place TBA

January 19 Board Meeting 10:00 AM El Toro Library Community Room

February TBD Winter Workshop Date/Time/Place TBA

Please E-mail all Newsletter Submissions to

Karen Dvorman at kdvorman@yahoo.com

Or call or text 714-925-0953 with any questions

Issues are planned for Fall, Winter and Spring/Summer

SCLC MESSENGER FALL 2018

12

ATTENTION NEW TUTORS

Amazon Smile and Ralphs Partnerships

Please consider signing up with Ralphs and Amazon Smile donation programs whereby they donate a small percentage of your purchases to our organization? This is part of our ongoing fundraising effort, and it doesn’t cost you anything. Plus, every little bit helps!

To register for the Ralph’s Donation Program go to : www.ralphs.com. Have your rewards card handy and go to ‘Create an Account’ if you haven’t already, where you will then click on Get Start-ed, Sign Up today. After you create an online account, then link your account with SCLC by editing your Community Contribution Information on your profile page. Our NEW NonProfit Organiza-tion number is BS799.

To register for the Amazon Smile program go to: http://smile.amazon/ch/953446927. This should bring up the webpage that will let you enroll your personal Amazon account in the program and also to select South Coast Literacy Council as your preferred charity.

Once a year we invite tutors and friends of South Coast Literacy to become members and/or make a donation to support our students. Our primary goal is to help adults acquire the English language skills they need for daily living, to gain confidence in using English for jobs and to communicate for many purposes. If you would like to review the details about South Coast Literacy Council, its history, and its goals, be sure to visit the website: www.southcoastliteracy.com Membership is $10.00. It is voluntary to join or renew your membership and/or make a donation. Pay Pal is currently not available for payments. If you would like to send your dues to our treasurer, please identify your center in the memo line. Make checks payable to: South Coast Literacy Council and mail to: Aparna Venkateswaran, Treasurer, SCLC 33 Sobrante, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 Following are two additional ways you can give through your shopping with no additional expense for you.

Thank you for all you do for your community and students!