Adult Literacy Program takes off at Strathmore Library

By Christine Foshaug Times Contributor

Thanks to a $100,000 grant from Alberta Advanced Education, Strathmore and area residents will have the opportunity to improve their literacy skills.
“We know statistics state one in five Albertans struggle with basic literacy skills so there’s lots of room for growth,” said Tammy Nischuk, literacy services coordinator for Strathmore and Area Adult Inclusive Learning (SAIL). “Our adult literacy program will help learners develop skills that will improve their quality of life significantly.”
The mission of SAIL is to provide accessible informal literacy learning opportunities so every adult can participate fully in society, at home, at work and in the community. Through various programs, they can help people with adult literacy, numeracy, English language learning, basic digital skills and foundational life skills.
Time for Rhymes for English Learners is a free, family-focused literacy program. “Parents and young children will experience English language learning together for the first half of the class,” explained Nischuk. “Then they’ll have a snack, and for the second half of the class, the children will be supervised while their parents work on their literacy skills, whether it be reading, writing or speaking.”
Two other programs – English Conversation Café and Survival English – are geared toward adult learners who want to improve their language skills in a comfortable setting, where they’ll benefit from interacting with others and building connections within the community. These classes run once a week for 10 weeks, at a cost of $30.
First Click Computer Skills will teach the basics of computers to people who find technology intimidating. With a small group of no more than six, this class will take the fear and stigma of fear away from adults and seniors who struggle to feel comfortable with technology. The cost for this course is $30.
SAIL is able to further help program participants attend classes by providing financial assistance, transportation or childcare on a case-by-case basis.
“Ultimately, our goal is to inspire learners to personal success by removing any barriers that are keeping them from learning and reaching their full potential in the community,” said Nischuk.
One-on-one coaching is also available for people who want to improve their reading, writing or math skills. Each learner will be paired with an adult volunteer tutor, and they’ll work together for an hour a week until the learner’s goal is reached.
SAIL is looking for volunteer coaches for their one-on-one coaching program. Nischuk emphasizes “you don’t have to be a teacher to teach someone to read. You just have to be kind, patient and willing to learn, just like the learner is willing to learn.”
The Strathmore library will be launching SAIL on Monday, Jan. 27 – which happens to be Family Literacy Day – with an open house from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Drop in and read for 15 minutes and get entered to win.
For more information on SAIL and the classes it offers, or if you’re interested in becoming a volunteer coach, you can go to strathmorelibrary.ca and click on the Adult Literacy tab or send an email to learn@strathmorelibrary.ca. You can register for any classes online or in person.