Literacy Council of White County

Shuhuai Wu, (Rain)

I came from China. (I have been here) six years and 40 days in America. From the first day I knew that the most difficult thing is language. I can’t understand what did the other people say. “You need to learn some English” I told myself. Say is easy thing. In fact, that’s hard to do. I just wrote down the words what I saw anywhere and check in the dictionary. I thought that is hard to remember. And is boring thing to do.

It is a fortune last year when I worked at restaurant in Arkansas, Searcy, at a Chinese restaurant. I met Ann, a customer of mine. She is a warm-heart lady. She asked me if I want to improve my English. Sure that’s my hope. I can speak English as well as Chinese. Ann called teacher Jon to help me. And now Bill teach me too. I am so appreciate. Thanks for help. Thanks to literacy council of White County.

Lonfa Wang, (Jackie)

I am from China. I have been in America seven years. When I first came to America, I could not speak any English. The only thing I did was work, like a work machine. When I came to Searcy, I met Ann. She been nice to everybody. She helped us find teachers, one by one, I can’t believe my ears. They came to the restaurant to teach us how to spell, talk, and write. Now, I am not afraid to talk to anybody. I feel I am part of America.

Jean-Jiang

I am from China. It should be nine months in May 8^th that I have been here. I am a waitress of New China Buffet. I really like my job here. All the people are so kind. Especially my boss, My-Chen. He gives me the chance to learn English here. So I met my English teacher, Ann. She taught me a lot, and is so patient with me. She is not only a teacher, but also a friend of mine. Here, I want to say “Thank you” to her for teaching me, for helping me, for everything she did for me! And then, I hope I can speak a mouthful of good English just like a real American. I also hope I can accept further education in the school in the future. I believe all my dreams will be true. I have such a good teacher Ann and many friends here. I know they still help me and support me. Thank you again Ann and all my friends.

Elena Cruz

I am learning English so that I can take my baby to the doctor and explain what she needs. I also have two boys in elementary school and I help them with their homework. I also have conferences with their teachers. I speak English whenever I go to the pharmacy for medicines. 

My husband has friends who speak English and I like to speak English when we are with them. My boys have English-speaking friends who play at our house. I myself now have more friends who speak English. I can also make myself understand over the phone now that I have studied English.

Sonny Byrum

My name is Sonny Byrum and I want to get my GED. I am writing this to help my council because, let me tell you, they are helping me. I want to learn all I can about life and I want to be a singer—they are helping me with both. I want to help my community in any way that I can. I want to make something out of myself. I also want to make my family happy because they have really been a big help to me. 

Karl Terry

Since I began taking lessons at the literacy council, I have learned how to capitalized my letters at the beginning of a sentence and to put a period at the end of a sentence. If it is a question, I put a question mark. I have learned how to write a check and fill in an application for a retirement bus pass and parking permit.

Hung Manh (Henry) Nguyen

My name is Hung Manh (Henry) Nguyen. My wife and I own and work at Contempo Nails. We have three sons and one daughter. Their names are HenryHan Nguyen, Sophia Hanh Nguyen, Ryan Huy Nguyen and HudsonHoung Nguyen. We have lived in Searcy for five years. We like the city and it has brought good things to us and our business. Two of our children go to Westside Elementary, which is a good school. They study hard and are good students.

My wife told me about the Literacy Council of White County. I wanted to learn more English, but I worried that I wouldn't have time for classes due to our business hours (we work six days per week). But, I decided to meet with Ann Nieto at the council to talk about learning better English. I have now studied there for eight months. I love my teacher. She tries to help me with a lot of things, especially about my citizenship test and American customs and manners.

She brought some American history books for me to read and learn about special people. My English is improving every day. I told my teacher that I try hard to learn English so that I can read, write, and speak well. I want to thank Ms. Ann Nieto. This is a good program for everyone who wants to learn English. I am very excited that I am now able to write this story.