Our Students

2008 Student Writing Collection – You Need to Know the Language

About Our Students

Our learners are those adults over the age of 16 who cannot get to or cannot succeed in classroom instruction. They may not own or be able to drive a car, may have to be at home with young children, or possibly have work schedules that conflict with the time classes are offered. Their English literacy skills (listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing) are generally less than 9th grade level. Our current students represent 35 first languages and 30 countries.

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2008 Student Writing Collection – You Need to Know the Language

You Need to Know the Language is a collection of writing by Literacy DuPage adult students who are learning English.

2008 Student Writing Collection (PDF)

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Recent Accomplishments

Our students achieve all kinds of practical accomplishments in their everyday lives. During our past fiscal year:

174 students increased their skills as family members, such as helping children with homework, taking phone messages, opening a checking account, or making a doctor's appointment;

131 students increased their skills as workers, such as completing work forms, communicating well with peers and supervisors, getting a job or job promotion, or entering a job training program; and

151 students increased their skills as community members, such as getting information from a telephone book or newspaper, using and obtaining a card from the library, volunteering in a community activity, or applying for or receiving citizenship.

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Student Success Stories

Jose, from Mexico, was referred to our program by his social worker as someone who spoke almost no English with a serious medical condition. It was impossible for him to understand the doctors and his treatment, as well as make appointments, without the help of his wife who spoke only slightly more English than Jose.

April, his tutor, was able to meet with them at a time and place that suited their tight schedule. After almost 15 months of tutoring, there was significant progress with Jose finding it easier to understand and speak to medical staff at the hospital and dialysis center. Jose was on dialysis three times a week, but has now had a kidney transplant after he and his wife successfully worked through the system and raised the necessary funds.

Rosa arrived from Mexico speaking no English. She realized she needed to learn to speak English when she was pregnant and had an ultrasound, but didn't understand the results. Without a driver's license, she had no way of getting to classes to improve her English literacy skills. She heard about Literacy Volunteers of DuPage and applied for a tutor who was able to come to her home.

Over a period of time, her English and confidence increased, and she got a job at McDonald's. One of her greatest needs was to be able to make medical appointments and speak to doctors as she soon had two children. As well as achieving these skills and obtaining her driver's license, she has also become a manager at McDonald's. Rosa's goal now is to study at College of DuPage and become a realtor.

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In Their Own Words

... I have improved my reading, writing, and daily speaking skills. I am no longer afraid to go shopping by myself or talking to people at work. I no longer have to depend on my husband for everything. I feel more confident and free. Thank you so much for volunteering your time and kindness. — from Yie.

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