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  • Burbank: Tutors share gift of reading

    Burbank Leader
    LATimes.com
    Feb 28 2005

    Tutors share gift of reading

    Library's tutoring program allows adults to advance in their careers
    or just read to their kids.

    By Karen Apostolina, Weekend

    Aida Amirian is from Iran and speaks three languages, Armenian,
    Persian and English. But she really wanted to be able to read books
    written in English to her 4-year-old daughter.

    While looking around the Burbank Central Library one day, she spotted
    a flier advertising free tutoring for reading and writing. She called
    the number and four months later, mother and daughter are doing very
    well.

    "The goal of reading to her daughter was very important to her," said
    Robert Navarro, her tutor. "She brings her books here ... and any
    hard words are worked out, so she can feel comfortable."

    Another of Amirian's goals is to go to college, and now that her
    proficiency in reading has improved, that could become a reality.

    Many of her friends hadn't heard about the library's literacy
    program.

    "But, it is a very good program for reading fast ... so, I tell my
    friends," she said. "This is a good program for everybody."

    One out of every five people is functionally illiterate, said William
    S. Byrne, literacy coordinator for the library. A lot of energy goes
    into masking the problem until they want to read to their children,
    or they get passed over for another promotion at work. For those who
    are ready to make the commitment -- help is available.

    To enroll in the program, adults must be 18 and older, read below a
    sixth-grade level and speak conversational English, although they
    don't need to be native speakers. Recruiting adults to be tutored
    (called learners) can be tough, Byrne said. That's why the library
    has regular orientation meetings. The next one is at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

    "Illiterate adults always think they are the only person in the world
    with this problem," Byrne said. "The orientation is a chance for them
    to walk into a room and see that they are not alone."

    Often high school -- even college -- graduates can't read, Byrne
    said. They may work in construction, the entertainment industry or
    restaurants, but their illiteracy keeps them stuck in low-level
    positions.

    Millie Engel, a volunteer tutor, believes that everyone can read.
    People seek help when they get tired of covering the fact that they
    can't, she said.

    "They have to decide they want to learn," Engel said. "When they come
    here, they're adults and they know what they want in life now."

    Engel, a retired elementary school teacher, wanted to give something
    back to the community. After completing the 15-hour training session,
    she signed up for six months -- then stayed for 10 years.

    Health problems or constantly having to relocate are among the many
    reasons people never learn to read, Byrne said. There is an
    assumption that reading is easy. But, those who learn -- are just the
    lucky ones.

    "Basically, if a child isn't reading by fourth grade in school, they
    will fall behind, because after fourth grade ... they aren't teaching
    reading anymore," Byrne said. "Those kids will stay behind unless
    remediation is available, and with school budgets being cut right and
    left, nobody has money for that."

    Using Discover-Intensive Phonics, learners work with computer
    software to hear sounds and understand how language is formed. They
    also practice, authentic reading which includes notes from school,
    books, utility bills and other everyday forms of text.
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