This article was written by Ruth Zuo, a Literacy Alberni learner.
I'm from China, and I've lived in Port Alberni for almost one year! It's been four months since I joined the Literacy Alberni Society. In just four months, many interesting things have happened!
The teacher took us hiking to the place where salmon lay eggs and introduced the trees and flowers along the road! We studied cooking items and citizenship in Canada, and we played English word games and so on. We have daily conversation and coffee celebration time or picnic time on the first Friday of every month. That really improved my English-speaking skills and listening skills.
My teachers, Marilyn and Val, celebrated for me after my third time taking the driver's road test which I passed. Although I didn't attend the picnic celebration because of work, I got a beautiful card from my teacher, who asked my family to bring it back for me. What's even more surprising is that it is also my birthday card! They pay attention to all of us who are in the class. Not only our study, but also our life!
After I failed my driving test again and again, Marilyn was very concerned about my feelings and thought of many ways for my transportation. She also helped me get a lot of furniture and gave my family so much help. Paul at Literacy Alberni gave me a desk and helped me transfer some furniture. He even asked me if I needed bowls and towels.
When the summer vacation came, Marilyn was concerned that I couldn't study because I needed to take care of my kids. She allowed me to take my daughter to class with me. In June, my son also came to Canada from China, so I was also allowed to take my son to join her class for free. She took care of every one of us in English at any level.
Interestingly, when my husband was allowed to come to Canada in July, he was also looking forward to joining our study, so we started the family group study. That's really so much fun. The teacher worried that it could be too much time for my children to study vocabulary or idioms, so Barbara, who’s retired after 30 years of educational work, gives another course with my kids and plays English games. We all enjoy the in-person course and improving English skills.
I also make friends from LAS’ class. We add contact information to each other. We often write messages to each other daily asking for interesting things or about bad moods, and sometimes we go out for hiking or have potluck. That can strengthen our English practice.
The teachers also suggested that we practice every day, even with our family. However, practice with friends is easier than with family members.
There are teachers who give us love and attention, and always encourage us. As a consequence, we can also give other people more love and attention. That is a wonderful place! Words are too short. I really appreciate all of the people who work in the Literacy Alberni Society!
Literacy Alberni is part of Raise-A-Reader, a province-wide campaign to raise funds for literacy organizations.
