Yell County Literacy Council

Adriana Chacon

We came to this country in 2000, flying from Bogota to Miami.  We decided to establish our life in Tampa, Florida. This is a cosmopolitan city where you can find many people from different nations, especially from Cuba, Puerto Rico and Colombia. It was a perfect place to raise our daughter, Isabella. However, it was not a good place to learn English and get a nice job. We went to the library five years ago trying to find information about English classes. Paquita, one of the associates there, gave us important information about the Literacy Council program. Immediately Rafael and I started classes, and pretty soon the program found a perfect tutor for us:  Mrs. Annie Laura Jaggers-Grady, one of the best writers in Arkansas. She taught us for more than two years.  We worked really hard. Her goal was to improve our skills and knowledge on English language in a short time. During that time we were practicing reading, pronunciation and grammar. I was working with her on Mondays and Wednesdays and Tuesdays and Thursdays with Ms. Maxine also. After that time my husband and I started to work with banks. Today we are still taking classes in the program and we know that we have to persist. Without that support we would not have that goal. Learning English as a second language has been a challenge that has allowed us to understand about American culture and, most importantly, to meet people that unconditionally want to share their knowledge with us and become friends and an important part of our lives.

Thank you Literacy Council!

Patricia Smart

I’m going to the school for many reasons.  I need to speak, write and read English very well because my plan for the future is to study for the GED.  I love to study and come to class on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.  I like my class and the teachers too.  Erin, Jennie and Marilyn thank you for your help