Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester

Providing English language proficiency for Economic Security

Spring into Literacy

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“For the first time since I arrived [in the US], I felt part of this community, sharing with people like me,…and that really motivated me to keep growing.” This is how Maya, an English language learner, described her first experience with LVGW’s classes.

Throughout the past few months, we have remained committed to our students, and we have transitioned to distance learning for both classes and tutoring.

We need your help to sustain these vital services.

Hear from volunteers and students, including Maya, about what LVGW means to them:

Read more.

Scrabble Tournament on May 2, 2020

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Join us for our annual scrabble game night. Form a team of three to six players and we’ll teach you the LVGW way to play scrabble! Admission includes dinner and participation in team-based mini-games. Cash bar, silent auction items, prizes, and gift baskets available. 

Register today!

 

Interested in volunteering at the event? Email info@lvgw.org
This event is a fundraiser for Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester. Proceeds support English language and literacy education. 
 

Olivia and Joan

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Olivia and Joan speaking at the Meet & Greet at Redemption Rock Brewing Co.

Who we are:

Olivia: I’ve lived in Worcester for about one year. I am from China and I came here for school many years ago. I am thirty years old and I signed up for tutoring to improve my English speaking skills. I have been with my tutor, Joan, for about six months.

Joan: I am a retired lawyer and I became a Literacy Volunteer a few years ago. I wanted to work with people trying to find their place in a new country and community. Because that is a huge challenge, I thought students would be very motivated, positive and interesting individuals. And I was right!

What we have learned from tutoring:

Olivia: As I learned more cultural things and as my English has improved I have more confidence. I’m not afraid to talk with anyone now. I went to yoga class last week and introduced myself to a few people before class. When I went skiing I talked with people next to me in line and on the lift. I think understanding the culture is very important.

Things we have enjoyed doing together:

  • Reading aloud and discussing books written for children or young people. These books have easier vocabulary, plot lines, are shorter than adult books and are fun.
  • Reading and discussing newspaper articles about China and about American politics. This is difficult but rewarding.
  • Finding and discussing unfamiliar vocabulary and idioms as we read and talk together.
  • Talking about the similarities and the differences between China and America.
  • Sharing some details about our respective cultures.
  • Meeting in different places for weekly lessons. This gives us new topics of conversation and the chance for Olivia to practice conversation with other people. We have been to different coffee shops and the Courthouse where Joan used to work. We even spent one lesson talking about the American judicial system.
  • Olivia was invited to speak at a Library Foundation event. She practiced her talk several times with Joan as the “audience”. We attended the event and Olivia did exceptionally well!

Favorite moments:

Both: When we have a conversation and are able to share our experiences in our families, our upbringing, and our different cultures with each other.

Olivia: Knowing I have the support of my tutor makes me happier.

Joan: Getting to know Olivia is a pleasure and having the opportunity to help her grow in her conversation skills and confidence is very rewarding.

Seetha and Carol

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Seetha and Carol

Seetha shared the following story in a room of over 40 people. We are so proud of her accomplishments, including this speech.

My name is Seetha. I live in Shrewsbury and I come from India. I am working at Reliant Medical Group in Westborough. I am teaching religious scripts for small kids through conference calls on weekday evenings. In the future I am planning to volunteer at a hospice once a week.

In my community, I am surrounded by highly qualified people like doctors and engineers. One day I was frustrated at work trying to reply to emails. Most of my replies were one-word answers like yes, okay, no, and thank you. I asked my coworkers for help. One of my coworkers recommended Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester, and I signed up for tutoring.

Carol and I have been working together once a week for about 2.5 years. I have learned a lot from Carol. I have more confidence with my friends, in the workplace, and in the community.

Every week I look forward to my class. I book a room at the Shrewsbury Library. Carol brings a lot of interesting materials for my weekly class and homework. We discuss readings and sometimes laugh at the stories. I also learn English idioms from Carol. Those are my favorite moments.

I am thankful to the Literacy Volunteer group who introduced Carol in my life. She finds out what I need and how to improve my English. She patiently corrects my mistakes and teaches me how to fix the mistakes. She always encourages my work. Before I joined the program, I asked my kids to help me fix all the emails and text messages. Sometimes they would help, sometimes they would make faces. Now I reply to my emails with more confidence.

I was promoted from part time to full time at the front desk for lab and x-ray at Reliant Medical Group in Westborough.

I have improved my understanding of English reading comprehension.

I have more self-confidence.

I have increased my yearly test scores.

Finally, I accepted the invitation and spoke today.

This is my first English speech. Thank you for supporting me to learn English.

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