Population Served:
73,491 Project Contact: Susan Chandler Project Title: Live Your Dreams Project Description: The first component to our program is increasing access to desired resources for learning English. We do this by offering Rosetta Stone software on ten laptops that can be checked out and used in the library. A class is devoted to teaching adults how to use this software as part of our Spanish language computer class series. We also purchased three DVD series that build English skills. |
 |
The second part of our grant provides resources for becoming a citizen. We purchased updated citizenship materials (Citizenship Passing the Test by New Readers Press) for check-out and host a monthly oral interview and review workshop where adults studying for the citizenship exam can come and practice prior to their interview with native speakers.
Notable accomplishment,
promising practices, or human interest stories: Our first Citizenship Workshop was held on October 9 with 11 in attendance. Four of the adults were scheduled to interview later in the month and greatly improved their chance of passing by practicing with native speakers.
We teach adult students how to use Rosetta Stone software and have made it available on laptops. Because this brand has been widely marketed, many ESL learners request it.
Key lessons
learned: When I originally wrote the American Dreams grant, I had contacted Rosetta Stone to find out the cost of purchasing licenses for their software and based the budget on the information they provided. We were able to find the software at nearly half the price elsewhere for the same number of simultaneous users. This allowed us to purchase three additional ESL DVD series that will circulate— EASY English Academic Success for You, EASY at Work Service and Hospitality and Lexicon Video Teacher. These resources allow up to 46 simultaneous users. Adults are continuously looking for supplemental material to help them study English and this will help full that niche.
Word of mouth is our best mode of communication in the Spanish-speaking community in Baytown since we do not have any Spanish language magazines or newspapers published locally. We attend health fairs, school events, and visit partner literacy programs throughout the community to spread the word about our services.
Advice for other libraries serving adult English language learners: If you are just starting a literacy program, begin with one or two things you can do easily and successfully. Success builds upon success. For example, purchase new ESL and/or citizenship materials and create a nice display near the Spanish book section. Computer classes in Spanish are another very popular program at Sterling Municipal Library as well as bilingual storytime and family events.
The most important thing we do is get out of the library and into the community. The Hispanic/Latino culture is very relationship-oriented so as more new immigrants recognize you and see you as a friend, the more successful your program will be. They also appreciate seeing flyers in their own language and being greeted with a friendly ¡Hola! Our library has around ten employees that speak Spanish. For someone who struggles with learning English, it is comforting to speak to staff in their first language.
Susan Chandler participated in the WebJunction Spanish Language Outreach program as a trainer and recommends their website as an additional place to look for best practices.