Durham Literacy Center blogs

ESOL In-Service Tutor Meeting

2008-10-01T02:40:15Z

ESOL Tutors: Please remind your students that Tuesday, October 14th, will be a Movie Night at our Lakewood location. They may bring family, friends, and snacks. They will be joined by Adult Literacy Students in one of the large classrooms while we have a meeting in the other. Popcorn will be provided!For the meeting, please bring thoughts, questions, and comments about your experience teaching with us this semester.Thanks, Charlotte

Triangle United Way Visits TCA

2008-09-23T01:15:56Z

The Triangle United Way tour made its way to the Teen Career Academy on Tuesday, September 9, 2008. The tour was visiting both John Avery Boys & Girls Club and TCA. Malcom Reed gave the tour to an overview of TCA. Then, a few students in the program shared their reasons for choosing TCA and what goals they hoped to accomplish in the future. News channel NBC-17 covered the tour's visit and aired a news story about it during the 6pm, 7pm and 11pm news. A writer from the Triangle Tribune wrote about the tour in the Triangle Tribune for this week. Check out the articles at the links below.

Tip of the Week

2008-09-08T06:25:14Z

Great job to the ESL tutors/teachers-- so far this semester, I've witnessed not only the mechanics of good ESOL instruction (speaking clearly, observing the "silent" period, eliciting students' prior knowledge), but the art of establishing a rapport and making learning meaningful (building a non-threatening, welcoming environment, being aware of cultural differences, focusing on the real-world applications of learning).
This "Tip of the Week" comes from Nickie Meeks, who teaches four days a week at Escuela de la Familia. She incorporates insights gleaned from Elizabeth Miles' "Tune Your Brain" by playing classical music softly in the background to help her students relax and focus. For a larger classroom setting, try playing non-verbal music while your students are engaged in a reading or writing activity.

Teen Career Academy: Next Placement Test: September 26th

2008-09-30T08:58:37Z

The next placement test for the Teen Career Academy will be given on Friday, September 26th at 9:00am. The location for the test is the John Avery Boys and Girls Club at 808 E. Pettigrew St. in Durham.

TCA Intro

2008-09-08T04:12:39Z

Great Morning,
I say 'Great' because sometimes 'good' just isn't enough. I am Shonita Alford, the new Teen Career Academy Americorps member. It is indeed an honor and joy to be a part of the Durham Literacy Center team. Thank you to all who made it happen.
TCA classes have gotten off to a great start. We are working with a wonderful group of students and expecting more. We have some dedicated tutors that are already proving themselves to be invaluable. I have high expectations for the 2008-2009 year. I know that marvelous things will happen.
That's all for now. I'll try to keep everyone updated on the latest happenings in TCA.
For now(and always), remember...FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.
Until later,
Shonita

ESOL Classes at LWB full

2008-09-05T04:10:10Z

With 94 students enrolled, our ESOL classes at Lakewood Baptist Church are full. The next enrollment session for new students will be Monday, Oct 6, 6-8pm. Enrollment remains open in our classes at the Main Library and East Regional Library (High Beginner level).

Greetings!

2008-09-04T07:17:11Z

Hello! This is Charlotte, the new ESOL AmeriCorps member at the DLC. It's been a great couple of weeks, meeting the staff, training tutors, and registering new students. Our first classes at Lakewood Baptist Church have been great so far, if a little hectic with walk-in registration and somewhat fluid level placements. I have managed to drop in on a couple of class sessions so far, and from what I can see, everyone is doing a great job teaching and learning. Looking forward to a great semester!
Charlotte

Adult Literacy keeps growing!

2008-09-04T02:50:14Z

Adult Literacy is in the midst of developing a small group adult GED class. Look out for the small group class to start in October. If you would like to be a volunteer tutor or student in this class- click here.

ESOL Classes begin Sept 2

2008-08-29T06:40:18Z

ESOL classes at Lakewood Baptist Church, our main classroom site, begin on Sept 2. Classes at Durham County Library (Main and East Regional branch) begin the following week. See our Fall 2008 Class Schedule for details.

Labor Day Holiday

2008-08-29T06:37:15Z

Durham Literacy Center will be closed on Monday, Sept 1 for Labor Day.

You are invited to our DLC Annual Meeting

2008-09-22T08:50:44Z

Join us for our Annual Meeting where we celebrate the tutors and students of 07-08 and celebrate the start of 08-09! Thursday 9/18/08 6-8pm Durham County Main Library Auditorium

Missed our Volunteer Orientations?

2008-08-19T06:54:35Z

It's not too late to volunteer this fall!You can still sign up for next week's Tutor Trainings (August 18, 20, 23). Please read more about our volunteer opportunities and contact volunteer@durhamliteracy.org to get started.

Enrolling ESOL Students Soon

2008-08-12T06:35:13Z

Registration for our Fall 2008 ESOL classes begins on August 25! Students may enroll by attending any of the registration sessions offered from August 25 - September 4 and taking a placement test. Please see our Fall 2008 ESOL Class Schedule for times and locations.

Volunteer with us in Fall 2008

2008-08-01T09:06:48Z

Mahatma Gandhi said: You must be the change you want to see in this world. Be the change! Help empower your neighbors by making sure everyone in our community is literate. Find out how to help by attending one of our upcoming volunteer orientations on Aug 4th, 6th, or 11th from 6-7pm at Lakewood Baptist Church. (For a preview, see our Volunteer webpage).

Teen Career Academy Placement Test: August 29th

2008-08-12T06:32:27Z

Sixteen to eighteen-year-olds interested in becoming a student at the Teen Career Academy, DLC's GED preparation program for out-of-school teens, should make plans to take a placement test on Friday, August 29.The test will begin at 9 AM at the John Avery Boys & Girls Club (808 E. Pettigrew Street) in Durham. The test will last approximately two hours. Please arrive on time. Late arrivals will be asked to come back for the next testing date. Our entrance is at the back of the building where you’ll see our sign.