Durham Literacy Center -

Join the DLC in August - New tutors & students welcome!

2009-06-15T01:08:06Z

Be the change! Empower individuals through literacy!

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering in one of our programs, please email volunteer@durhamliteracy.org or call 489-8383. Interested in becoming a student? Call 489-8383.

Congratulations & Gratitude

2009-06-09T11:11:50Z

Many thanks to DLC students and tutors for making this year truly special. The Teen Career Academy has had a remarkable year with a record-breaking number of graduates. The Adult Literacy Program has served a record number of dedicated students. And the ESOL Program has enabled its first group of students to transition into pre-GED studies in English. These accomplishments are but a few of many successes achieved this year - none of which would be possible without the hard work of about 500 students and 100 tutors. What a difference a year can make!Teen Career Academy Graduation Spring 2009Adult Literacy and ESOL Spring Celebration 2009

A Huge Success!

2009-03-22T04:19:58Z

We did it! The DLC was one of the Top 10 Nonprofit Fundraisers in the 2009 Great Human Race! Please check back for photos and the total amount raised - we'll post them this week. (And for those of you who have asked if it's too late to collect more funds - no, it's not too late. Our secure online donation page (at active.com) will be active for about 3 more weeks. Checks should be made out to the Volunteer Center of Durham, and they should include Durham Literacy Center on the memo line.)Thanks to everyone who made this event a huge success for the DLC! Ronald McDonald joins joins us at the 2008 GHR / Wool E. Bull joins us at the 2007 GHRWho will join us in 2009?

Spring Semester at the DLC

2009-05-08T10:17:57Z

The DLC's spring semester is off to a great start...

Adult Literacy: Welcome to the 26 new students and 26 newly trained tutors who joined the DLC's adult literacy community in January! We are now serving 63 students who range from beginner readers to adult GED students. This is a record number for our one-on-one program! We are also piloting a new research-based curriculum designed to accelerate the transition from basic literacy instruction to GED instruction.

ESOL: Welcome to all new tutors and students! Spring classes have begun at all of our sites, and enrollment for the spring semester is now closed. We are currently serving 133 students. Several of our ESOL conversation class students have transitioned into our new pre-GED class - which is exciting for all of us!

Adult GED and CLIC Computer classes: The Adult GED class will register and administer placement exams for new students on Tuesday, March 17th. If you can't make it that night, please call the Adult Literacy program to make an appointment to take the placement test. Classes start the week of March 23rd. CLIC computer classes begin on Wednesday, March 18th and Thursday, March 19 at 6:30pm. Stop by or give us a call for more information. Both classes will be held at our Lakewood site at 2100 Chapel Hill Rd, in the building behind Lakewood Baptist Church.

Teen Career Academy: Spring classes have begun at the John Avery Boys and Girls Club. We've reached a record number of TCA students who have registered for and passed GED subject tests at Durham Tech. Congratulations to all of our students and tutors - your hard work is paying off!

We're looking forward to a fabulous year at the DLC. Many thanks to all who contribute to the DLC community - you are making a world of difference!

DLC Student Stories

2009-06-09T10:51:16Z

Listen to Kiasha and Lucy's story on the nationally syndicated radio show, The Story. Read the Herald Sun article on Emmett Jackson, and watch him speak about his experiences. Visit our gallery of student stories from our 3 core programs: Adult Literacy, ESOL, and Teen Career Academy.

ESOL student story

2008-11-07T09:03:37Z

Meet Lal Thang Mawi. Lal Thang is currently a student in our ESOL program Lal Thang's two adult children, Naomi and Gideon, are also studying at DLC. All three family members are enthusiastic about joining the Adult Literacy GED class as soon as they have improved their English skills. "My name is Lal Thang Mawi. I come from Burma. I have not live in the USA for very long. I have come here with my family as refugee. I have two children. I like the USA very much. My family can live freely. We can walk by ourselves. We can support ourselves. We can go anywhere. There no need for fear here. I am very thankful. The classes have help me a lot. Thank you for me and my family. It mean a lot. What my plan for my future: I want to help my people. I work so hard for what I have now and I want share that. I want to get a GED and if possible work with a nursery school with children. I love children"

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

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.

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).

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

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).