Conway County Literacy Council

Andy

Andy is in his late forties and is a high school graduate. He loves to fish and cook. He learned to cook while serving in the armed forces where he obtained the rank of sergeant. 

Andy has kept his inability to read a secret for most of his life. He recalled going to McDonald’s with his friends and always ordering the same two things: a hamburger and a Coke. He knew those items were always on the menu. He said, “I can remember the relief I felt when fast food restaurants put pictures on their menus.” 

He was in charge of roll call while serving in the Army, but he couldn’t read the names. To compensate for his inability to read, he told the soldiers to listen for the last for digits of their social security number. He told them there were too many soldiers with the same last name and this way would be quicker. The soldiers never once questioned Andy’s roll call method. In fact, many complimented his idea. 

Andy came to Conway Count Literacy Council in November 2006 where he was teamed up with a tutor. His tutor recalls his first learning session: “He walked into the room sheepishly and was noticeably anxious. He had memorized many words, but had poor reading and comprehension skills. We began working on primary phonics and, after four months, he was able to sound out short words. Andy is now reading larger words, spelling larger words, his comprehension skills have improved greatly and he has a renewed self-confidence.”

Myong Peters

Myong Peters came to the Conway County Literacy Council to learn to read, write, and speak better English. She is from Korea and was brought to the country with very few English skills.  When Myong started she couldn’t make simple phone calls or conduct daily personal business very easily. “No one was at home to help me communicate over the phone, so it was important to me to learn how,” she said. The council has been working with Myong for many years and has become a second family to her. She calls the council anytime she has a communication problem and anytime she receives mail she doesn’t understand. The council has also helped her make doctor appointments and other appointments through the years.

At the council, we share our American culture with Myong every week. A few weeks ago, she was able to share her Korean culture with her tutor.  Myong taught her tutor how to prepare an authentic Korean meal and she also was able to attend church with her. Here she noticed how Myong was able to sing most of the words from the songbook, and many of the church members commented on how Myong’s speaking skills have improved since she started tutoring. One man said that he was unable to fully understand Myong until she started taking English classes at the literacy council. 

Anonymous

Our basic literacy student insists on remaining anonymous, but her story is amazing and deserves to be shared.

She came to the Conway County Literacy Council two years ago and read at a first grade level.  She couldn’t read her work orders at work without help, she was nervous about going to doctor appointments, and she was very embarrassed to read aloud with her tutor.  When asked why she came, she replied, “I came to the council because I wanted to learn more about how to read.”  She wanted to be able to read aloud in Sunday school class, she wanted to feel more proactive at doctor’s appointments, and she wanted to be able to not rely on others at work. Right away she began with a tutor and has come faithfully every week for at least two hours.  “I was determined not to look down on myself anymore,” she said.  And she hasn’t looked down once.  She has worked steadily through four skill book levels and is now starting her fifth skill book. 

“I used to be very nervous to go to Sunday school because I knew I would have to read, but now I feel better when I stand to read in class,” she beams.  She and the tutor review her Sunday school readings every week to help boost her confidence and increase her comprehension skills.  She can also read and understand directions that she could not before she walked through our doors.  She says, “I am not as nervous when I go to the doctor or other places that require me to read forms and sign them.”  And now she can read her cleaning orders at work a lot easier and doesn’t require someone else to read them to her.  Thankfully she is no longer embarrassed to read aloud in the council and this makes her and her tutor very proud.  Ultimately, “I enjoy life more now that I can read better.”