Voices of Literacy Connects Jan/Feb 2019

For adult literacy week,

Literacy Connects students submitted their writing to practice their new skills and share a part of themselves with the community. Three prizes were awarded to Adan Pichardo, Rihana Ibrahim, and Ana Lopez Rojas

 

Adan Pichardo, Beginning English Language student at Martha Cooper

“I like to come to English class because it will help in my job and communication.”

 

Rihana Ibrahim, Adult Basic Literacy student

Rihana and Alicia
At Literacy Connects we went to the library together. We read books and
had fun. We are lucky because we are best friends.
We learned to read a book about Martin Luther King, Jr.
We like the beautiful pots with flowers in the garden.
Rihana plays wheelchair basketball.
We remember working in groups and eating together at Literacy Connects.

 

Ana Lopez Rojas, Spanish GED student

UN PASO MÁS HACIA UN MEJOR FUTURO

A continuación quiero darles a conocer como ha sido mi experiencia antes y después de saber acerca del GED. Mi postura al principio era la de aprender inglés y poder tener un mejor desenvolvimiento tanto en lo social como en lo laboral, mi meta no se basaba  en terminar mi GED, si no más bien tener un mejor futuro y ser un mejor ejemplo para mis hijas.

Al asistir a mi primera clase fue muy impactante por el hecho de conocer nuevas cosas, pero a la vez me asustaba el saber que deberia aprender un nuevo idioma,y todo era diferente, así como; las culturas ,el vocabulario y entre tantos otros aspectos que caracterizaban lo nuevo que estaba por aprender de mi maestro y mis  compañeros.

Con el paso de los días mi interés por el estudio fue creciendo poco a poco, cabe resaltar que no todo siempre fue una maravilla, pues tenía muchas decaídas y ganas de rendirme debido a que no hallaba la manera de poder sostener mi hogar y mi estudio sin descuidar a mis hijas, por otro lado el desespero por aprender rapido me llevo a tomar otras medidas como la de cambiarme a unas clases de inglés más avanzadas, debido a los resultados que iba obteniendo, pues a mi parecer eran cada vez mejor.

Al ver el entusiasmo en mi, unos amigos me dieron a conocer de unas clases en las que podría culminar mis estudios de bachillerato, lo cual para mi fue una muy Buena noticia y me entusiasmo mucho, por que podría culminar una meta que en el pasado había quedado pendiente,pues hacia mas de doce años yo no retomaba aquella meta de mi niñez puesto que luego de culminar la secundaria, la llegada de mi primer hija fue algo complicado y desde allí todos mis planes cambiaron, pues en mi mente solo existía la idea de sostener mi hogar y mirar por el bien de ella, después por motivos de la violencia tuvimos que salir de mi país de origen hacia Ecuador,al pasar pasar el tiempo alli nacio mi segunda hija y mi mentalidad no cambiaba, pues con dos hijas debía buscar por el cuidado de ambas ,tras el pasar de los años al notar que en Ecuador no podía lograr mis objetivos y en busca de algo mejor se nos presentó la oportunidad de salir a otro país donde podria encontrar un mejor futuro. En esos días me di cuenta que me encontraba nuevamente embarazada, ahora de mi tercer hija. Al llegar este país, en el que radico actualmente, fue cuando todas mis expectativas cambiaron, con la ayuda de mi maestro Manuel e podido recordar cosas que creía haber olvidado y a su vez he obtenido nuevos conocimientos.

Por ahora mi meta principal es terminar mi GED,para más Adelante poder llegar a ser una profesional y así convertirme en un ejemplo a seguir para mis hijas .

Finalmente agradezco a mis hijas por que sin la ayuda de ellas no hubiese obtenido tiempo para poder asistir, al apoyo incondicional de mi esposo que ha estado junto a mi en todo momento, y por otro lado a mi maestro Manuel quien ha hecho todo posible ya que a sido una persona muy fundamental para el desarrollo de esta meta.

 

Hong Xu, Beginning English Language student at Martha Cooper

“I like come here to learn English. Because, there have native speaker of English teacher to teach. There have friendly people, sweet kids, beautiful girls, and so on. The English class is very different, with our country, I think it’s usefuler.

I learning English Because I need find a job in Tucson. Now my English is too poor, so I come here. I feel it’s funny class, there have very good teacher! I like here.”

 

Elif, Beginning English Language student at Martha Cooper

I come to class for learning English and I like to practice with the other students who is from another countries. I like my teachers, Diane, Sheri, and Maria. I like to learn with them.

 

Beauty Citron, Lindsey Center student

Thank you, Literacy Connects, for having patience and understanding for your students and for taking time out of your busy lives to be with me.

I want to tell you what I can do now that I couldn’t do before. I can fill out forms at the doctor’s office. Before, my husband would have to go with me. I fill out applications for work and also read information from my daughter’s school, which they send daily. Lastly, I can read, write, and understand faster than before while learning new vocabulary.

It makes me feel happy, grateful, and confident in myself.

I like to learn about things that interest me. For example, history, nature, how things are made and work, and what is good and bad about the things.

In all, I am glad that I have the courage to learn to read and write. Now I always want to learn more things. I am not stopping for the rest of my life!

 

Xiao Qin Luo, Beginning English Language student at Martha Cooper

“I like go to class learn English, teacher teach English very well, teacher and student very nice to me. thanks teacher.”

Be Hua, Beginning English Language student at Martha Cooper

I like English class. I come to this English class 2 seasons. I feel my English is better although it is not perfect yet. I believe my English will be perfect in the future because English teachers are good. Specially, Ms Diane help me more. She is enthusiasm and Ms Sheri is very thoughtful. They work hard so I effort to study English. It help my English will be good. Thank you my teachers!!

Beside the in this English class not only has good teachers but also have a lot of friends from other countries. I feel very happy when I have more time for communication with them.

 

Otis Brown, Adult Basic Literacy student

At Literacy Connects it is fun to have a great group together. I think it is fun to have a big smile on my face when I try to do my best. Luckily I remember to plan when I am at Literacy Connects. If any of my classmates stopped coming to our class I would be sad. Our teachers like to come to Literacy Connects. We have beautiful teachers and they are wonderful people.

 

 

Raquel Covarrubias, Spanish GED student

“Nunca es tarde para aprender, porque la vida nunca termina de enseñar”

Leí hace unos días esta frase, la cual me ha motivado y tener una gran motivación es un aspecto muy importante para alcanzar nuestras metas.

Cuando yo me entere de este programa de educación para adultos, sinceramente lo comencé sin tener ninguna meta, solo porque en ese momento de mi vida no estaba haciendo nada productivo, dude muchas veces de si era lo suficientemente inteligente para completar mi GED, nunca imagine que llegaría hasta donde me encuentro el día de hoy, se que llevo más de la mitad de las expectativas para completar mi GED lo cual me llena de orgullo y satisfacción, esto ha hecho que aumente mi credibilidad en mi misma y se que podré lograr las metas que me proponga en un futuro con disciplina, paciencia y perseverancia.

En este tiempo he aprendido, he crecido, he conocido personas muy especiales a las cuales les agradezco porque sin su ayuda no hubiera continuado en el programa.

Mis respetos, admiración y sobretodo agradecimiento para estas personas voluntarias que sin esperar nada a cambio nos han dedicado su tiempo, esfuerzo, paciencia y compromiso, pero que seguramente tendrán la satisfacción de que el propósito de la vida humana es servir y mostrar compasión y voluntad de ayudar a los demás.

“It is never too late to learn, because life never stops teaching”

A few days ago I read this sentence, which has motivated me and have a great motivation is a very important aspect to achieve our goals.

When I learned of this program of adult education, sincerely, I started without any goals, just because at that point in my life I was not doing anything productive, I often had doubts about whether I was smart enough to complete my GED. I never imagined I would come to where I find myself today, I know i have completed more than a half of my expectations to complete my GED which fills me with pride and satisfaction. This has led to increase my confidence in myself and that I can achieve the goals that I set for myself in the future with discipline, patience and perseverance.

In this time I learned, I’ve grown, I’ve met very special people whom I thank them because without their help I would not have continued in the program.

Respect, admiration and, above all thanks to these volunteers who without expecting anything in return have devoted their time, effort, patience and commitment, but they certainly have the satisfaction that the purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion and willingness to help others.

 

Manar Al Jamal, Beginning English Language student at Martha Cooper

“I like to come to english class to learning English. I can speek and understand my douther and help her for her homework.

I like to learning English to I can take some courses for finance and banks in Pima college

I like the class the teachers friendly and they love to teaches us.

I learn alot of words and learn to speek without to shy.”

 

Majid, Beginning English Language student at Martha Cooper

I like speak English for live in USA and at USA people speak English then I must speak English with them and I see TV, and when I go to mall or store every one speak english and I order, to buy and food with sellers must speak English. Thank you

 

Rania Tutu, Adult Basic Literacy student

Dear Literacy connects

When I came there to the Literacy Connects I didn’t know anything, how to read or how to speak and sometimes I was scared to go because I thought I’m not going to learn anything because I feel it’s too difficult for me!  I was needing the translator to go with me when I did the interview.  They give me test to write to see what level I’m in.  I can’t do it.  I write only my name.  I don’t know how to write my address.  I was so scared that they don’t going to keep me in the program because I left the paper empty.  When I finished the interview I was so happy because they let me into the classes!

I keep going for 2 years.  I’m doing good now.  They try to do the best things to help me.  Now I can write a letter to my friend and my teachers.  I love all the tutoring because they help me a lot.  I don’t think any more that I’m not going to learn because I am happy to learn!  That’s why I want to thank all the tutors because they do all the best things to teach the students how to learn and I appreciate them a lot for everything they do!

I hope Literacy Connects will be blessed with more tutors and more students and give the teachers more power to teach good.  I hope Literacy Connects can grow so everyone and everywhere can know about our program.

 

Berhan Berk Akgun, Beginning English Language student at Martha Cooper

The English class is special for me. Because I’m learning English for my career. And I meet new people. I learn their culture. This is amazing. My class has many people from many countries.

 

Zoila Luz Munoz, Beginning English Language student at Martha Cooper

I like English is necessary speak Enligsh for living. U.S.A. is first language English and go for language Spanish. I practice English in the house every day.

 

Olincer Alejandro V. Flores, Spanish GED student

Nunca pensé que a mi edad, regresaría a Un salón de clases, pero un día escuche de las clases para adultos de GED y con mucha vergüenza me inscribí…

Fue una de las mejores ideas que he tenido en mucho tiempo, por esa razon, quiero agradecer a todos los voluntarios de el GED por tanta paciencia y tiempo que invierten en nosotros, sus alumnos.

Espero no quedarles mal y después de terminar con los exámenes espero tener mi GED diploma.

También agradezco por las personas que gracias a este curso he conocido y espero que sigan formando parte de mi vida ya que son una nueva familia para mi. Gracias.

I never thought that at my age, I would go back to a classroom, but one day I heard about the GED adult classes and with great embarrassment I signed up …

It was one of the best ideas I have had in a long time, for that reason, I want to thank all the volunteers of the GED for so much patience and time that they invest in us, their students.

I hope not to disappoint them and after finishing the exams I hope to have my GED diploma.

I also thank for the people that thanks to this course I have known and I hope that they continue being part of my life since they are a new family for me. Thank you

Nancy Sprik, Adult Basic Literacy student

 

 

Lous Tatu, Beginning English Language student at Martha Cooper

Garden. I like to happy plant kale and cabbage.

 

Adult Basic Literacy Writing Workshop class song

Laughing, planning, learning.

Working, eating, thinking.

Talking, arguing, smiling.

Remembering, coming, going.

Caring, sharing, listening.

Walking with each other,

Changing.

 

Lena, Beginning English Language student at Martha Cooper

“I like to learn English because I plan to live and work in America. I like teachers in this class. They are native english speakers. Here I see people who are trying to learn a language, many have progress. My mom and my son to study too.”

 

Haneen Ghrefat, Beginning English Language student at Martha Cooper

I come to English courses to listen and talk with native people because I think that will help me to learn English and practice with many people.

 

Omar Cunningham, Adult Basic Literacy student

I just read a story about George Washington Carver. He was interested in plants from when he was a little boy.  George grew up on a farm and had lots of plants on his farm.

George visited a small town when got older and the town was having a difficult time with its cotton crop.  George had to come up with an idea on how to help the town to improve their cotton growing.  He came up with a plan to plant other food crops such as sweet potatoes and cowpeas.  This idea of planting one crop this year and a different crop the next year helped strengthen the soil and made all the crops grow better.

Because of Literacy Connects I can now read stories of different people like George Washington Carver and many more important people.

 

Spozhmar, Beginning English Language student at Martha Cooper

Because I like English I went to English class to talk to my friends.

 

Deniz Aislansey, Beginning English Language student at Martha Cooper

“I want to learn english to work with friends. I come because this class is the best for me.”

 

 

Cristina Hernandez, Beginning English Language student at Martha Cooper

To be speaker English first language because for to help for my daughters, more talk my friend. I need for word more communication. I need more practice my English.