Thread: Salvation Army looks to help with native language first.

Salvation Army looks to help with native language first



BRIAN VALENTIN / SPECIAL TO THE COURIER NEWS
Isabel Escobar, 7, of Elgin, reads the program for The Salvation Army Latino Literacy Project with her grandmother, Isabel Trinidad. Trinidad was one of 26 adults who completed the first 10 weeks of study in the program.

By Janelle Walker
STAFF writer

ELGIN — Isabel Trinidad's ambition was to learn to read her Bible. But, because the 55-year-old woman had never attended school in her life, it seemed impossible to her.

On Sunday, however, Trinidad stood at the podium at The Salvation Army and read the Bible's first chapter — in the book of Genesis — to those assembled for the Latino Literacy Project's end-of-class celebration.

"She is reading Genesis, because it is a beginning for her," said Jo Ann Armenta, one of the project volunteers. "It is her first time reading in public — she just learned to read out loud."

The 10-week Salvation Army Latino Literacy Project was designed to help the local Salvation Army reach out to Elgin's Hispanic community, said Maj. Ken Nicolai.

About a year ago, he said, the local advisory board learned of a similar program in Chicago.

What board members learned, he said, is that many who are trying to learn English as a second language also are illiterate in their native languages.

Between 25 percent and 50 percent of English language learners are not successful because they don't know their own language, Nicolai said.

"You have to know your own language to be effective learning English," Nicolai said.

The way English classes are taught assumes the learner can read in his or her native tongue.



High school equivalency


Of the 26 enrolled in the program, teacher Kiyo Johnson said, 10 had very low or limited academics in Spanish. Six of those, she added, had never been to a day of school in their lives.
A few had second- or third-grade educations, and others had been in school up to the sixth grade.

By the time the 26 people enrolled in the Elgin program were done, they had received the equivalent of a Mexican high school education, and a certificate from the Mexican consulate to show for their efforts, Nicolai said.

Another 30 people have enrolled for the second 10-week course, he said.

However, those who just finished are not done, either. Weekly tutoring will be offered to help them continue their reading — in Spanish.

Trinidad said she wanted to learn to read not only the Bible, but also to advance in work and to help her grandchildren with their school work.

If she could read Spanish, Trinidad said through a translator, "I wouldn't be a janitor, I would be a boss."

Even though she's excited to continue reading, Trinidad said, she had family members who didn't think she could do it and who don't approve of women receiving an education.

One brother, however, encouraged and congratulated her for being able to accomplish her goal.

The Salvation Army plans to continue offering the program, although additional sponsorships and donations may be needed. The local chapter has reallocated some funds, however, to keep the program going.

"We want to become a real opportunity for the Hispanic community," Nicolai said.

08/14/06

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If you can't learn English, then you can not immigrate to the US.

Dixie