Learner Workshop -- "Find the Job You Want" Pt. 1

Thursday, October 1, 2009

6:00 - 7:30 pm

Project Read Conference Room

Presented by SFPL Librarian (and former Project Read staff member) Richard Le and Project Read Outreach Coordinator Leon Veal.

At this workshop, adult learners will...

• Learn how to organize job search information
  
• Learn how to use online job applications
  
• Learn how to use a flash drive to store job information

At part 2 of this workshop (yet to be scheduled) those attending will learn how to search for a job using the Internet.

Adult learners should call the Project Read office at 415-557-4388 if they plan to attend.

Syllabication Resources from Continuing Education Class

(You may click on these jpg images to enlarge, then print your own copies -- use landscape format when printing.)

Here is a useful instructional tool presented at the August continuing education class for tutors entitled Divide to Conquer. This kinesthetic instructional game can help your learner understand common syllable types and how they are usually spelled and pronounced. Thanks to Project Read tutor, and former literacy program director, Lucille Cuttler for helping to present the workshop and for creating this learning tool.

The first grid contains examples of six syllable types. The second is blank so that you and your learner can plug-in syllables from words being studied in your tutoring sessions. Much more information on syllable types is available in your tutor training materials: LITSTART--pages 160 - 167, Tutor Training Manual -- pages. 50 & 51.

Notes from September 1st Tutor Roundtable

At Project Read's September Tutor Roundtable meeting there was a lively discussion by the tutors concerning a variety of instructional topics.

• One tutor mentioned that he and his learner had been working on the topic of African-American history. His learner enjoys doing research on the Internet and they have found a wealth of reading material while using the Project Read computer lab. When his learner has trouble with a word, they focus on breaking it down into syllables. It was suggested that they might also look at the 3rd floor Project Read collection at the Main Library which includes many easy-to-read books on the subject of African-American history.


• Another tutor has been helping her learner focus on pronouncing and writing word endings correctly. To do this they have been spending time breaking words down and looking at spelling patterns associated with the common word endings.


• The challenge of teaching grammar was also discussed. A tutor mentioned that he has had success using Write All About It, a comprehensive grammar workbook available FREE in the Project Read office for tutor-learner teams. He and his learner will soon start working on the learner's goal of writing personal letters--a good opportunity to reinforce grammar skills introduced in the workbook.


• The tutors also discussed ways to encourage learners to get their thoughts down on paper. One method suggested was the good old mind mapping technique introduced during tutor training. Another reminder was to always begin with a topic of interest to the learner or bring in photos or newspaper articles for the learner to respond to in writing.


• One final tip offered by a tutor was on the topic of planning the tutoring session. She said that initially her sessions had been one and a half hours in length, but she found that a lot of time was being consumed by chit chat before the actual instruction could begin. She decided to simply add that time to the overall session length. She's meeting with her learner for two hours now, but making sure that a smooth transition occurs between the time for socializing and instruction.