Julia Slade of Temple knows what it’s like. For most of her 60 years, the English-speaking woman has lived not knowing the difference between P and K.
“But I’ve come a long way,” Ms. Slade said, talking about the two years she’s been receiving tutoring lessons from the Temple Literacy Council. She can now understand grocery ads.
“I’m on Level 2,” she said, grinning as if she had just shared a favorite secret. “I can read some books on my own now.”
When Ms. Slade can master the fourth level, Council Director Don Stiles said she will be reading on the fifth-grade level.
Level 1 teaches the alphabet and phonics. Level 2 introduces the concepts of writing and word recognition. And Levels 3 and 4 consist of exercises that test varying degrees of reading comprehension.
“It’s like ‘See Spot run,’ to begin with but the subject matter is something that can interest adults,” said Martha Hoyt, Ms. Slade’s tutor.
When Ms. Hoyt met with Ms. Slade on Sept. 17, they were discussing a story about a woman who was trying to give her husband his breakfast in bed.
“But she burned it,” Ms. Slade said, laughing.
“A child wouldn’t understand that humor. It’s an adult situation,” Stiles said. “The reading has got to provoke the mind of an adult but be geared for a person who’s learning the language.”
The curricula can also include lessons on reading tape measures, prescription labels and math problems.
“Everything is based on the individual and what he or she needs for daily life,” Stiles said. “(Ms. Slade) needs extra lessons and more time because of her learning disabilities and need for Life Skills. But for a Spanish-to-English student, it’s different. And for Korean-to-English it’s different.”
The non-profit Temple Literacy Council has served the area for 20 years. It has no employees, except for Stiles, the part-time administrative worker. He recruits volunteer tutors and pairs them with people who want to learn how to read.
“Sometimes it’s one-on-one, and sometimes it’s one tutor with two or three students,” Stiles said. “It depends on the group setting and skill level.”
Every month, there are about 30 people who seek the help of the Temple Literacy Council. Lesson supplies are free to the students, provided by funds from donations from businesses, individuals and service groups like the City Federation of Women’s Clubs, Altrusa and the Rotary Clubs of Temple.
“Year after year, we are generously supported by our area businesses and service groups,” Stiles said. “This year, we had a bit of extra help. In July, we got a grant for extra supplies.”
Earlier this summer, the Temple Literacy Council received a grant from the New Readers’ Press to purchase new books. The New Readers’ Press is the publishing arm of ProLiteracy America, a national non-profit organization with the goal of eliminating illiteracy.
The grant of $1,093.50 enabled the Council to purchase more than 100 books.
“They sure will come in handy,” Stiles said.
tlunsford@temple-telegram.com
