“I needed confidence,” admitted soft-spoken Abdullah. “I needed to practice with someone who could correct my mistakes. I knew learning as much English as possible would make my assimilation into the United States easier.”
Imagine you are asked to give a speech … For most of us, this idea provokes at least a little anxiety. Now, imagine that what your audience wants to hear about is your life, your experiences, and your immigration story. What’s more, they want you to speak in their language—which is not your native language.…
Literacy DuPage is in the midst of our spring campaign to raise the funds we need to fulfill our mission. What follows is the message our executive director is sending to everyone who subscribes to our newsletter. If you’ve found your way to this post, we’d love to have your support as well. Need a reason?…
Literacy opens doors … … not in a sudden burst, but gradually—letting in a little more light all the time. Consider Lanying, a woman from China who moved with her family to the U.S. While her children went to school and made connections in the community, she felt isolated because she didn’t know English. Like…
When a Literacy DuPage learner and tutor begin working together, there’s no telling where their relationship might take them. Will they break the language barrier and achieve the learner’s specific goals? Of course. They may also find their way to unexpected experiences and achievements.
Javier came to the U.S. from Mexico with his wife and infant son to work hard for a better life. As his children became school age, Javier began struggling to communicate with their teachers and healthcare providers because of his lack of English-language skills.
We’ve all begun something new. Perhaps it was a starting a new job or relocating to a new town, where we’ve left behind familiar routines and treasured friends. Perhaps we felt uneasy and unsure of ourselves as we worked to get established among unfamiliar faces and places.
Imagine raising five children. Whether you’re a parent or not, you can conjure images of what it means to raise a large family. Now, imagine that your five children all speak fluent English—but you don’t. And that everyone in your family is a U.S. citizen—but you aren’t. This was Lourdes’s experience, until she stepped forward…