ESOL Tutors Needed for Safety Harbor Library Literacy Program

“To live in the USA and not be able to communicate is a feeling that for the first few years of my life in Florida I will never forget.”   These are the words written by Enisa Aleksic, a Safety Harbor Public Library ESOL student.  Through study with her tutor Joan Walker, Enisa, (originally from Bosnia) is now a United States citizen and can communicate without a friend translating.  She can do the simple things we take for granted; feel comfortable talking to a neighbor, order a sandwich at the deli, and cash a check at the bank.

In January 2010, the Safety Harbor Public Library partnered with the Literacy Council of Upper Pinellas (www.lcup.net) to provide training resources and guidance.  Safety Harbor resident Maryann Brennan is the volunteer English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program coordinator.  Today the growing ESOL program has eight active tutors and is seeking additional tutors to help with the increasing number of students.

Registration is now open for the Literacy Council’s free tutor training workshop on Saturday, November 8, 2014, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Dunedin Community Center, 1920 Pinehurst Road, Dunedin, FL. This free training provides tools for tutors to teach adult students with limited English language skills.  No teaching experience or fluency in another language is required, except a good command of English and time to spend with a student.  Once the initial training is complete, experienced tutors provide continuous support and assessments. Tutors and students set their own schedules and meet in study rooms at the Safety Harbor Public Library.  To sign up visit: www.lcup.net.

“Students have enlarged and enhanced my life and educated me at the same time I am ferreting out their needs. With some exceptions, a pressing need among ESOL students are the language tools to earn a living and support their families.  I consider it my pleasure and my solemn responsibility to teach them with that goal in mind,” said long time tutor and Safety Harbor resident Joan Walker.

If you would like to make a difference in someone’s life by helping them to read, write, and speak English, contact the Safety Harbor Public Library, 727-724-1525, ext. 4112 (email: shplref@cityofsafetyharbor.com) or the Literacy Council of Upper Pinellas, 727-298-3080, ext. 1724, www.lcup.net.