Literacy Volunteers of the Tarrytowns has offered English lessons to adults, free of charge, since 1974, but the need has rarely been as great as it is now. 

The organization is hoping for strong enrollment of new tutors when training sessions begin on February 26.   In six weekly sessions, volunteers are taught how to tutor English as a second language. 

The 60-deep waiting list in our community to learn English could be the “tip of the iceberg,” according to the 2011 census report.  About 54% of Sleepy Hollow residents reported speaking a language other than English at home.  Of those residents, 58% said that they did not speak English well.  In Tarrytown, 35% of residents reported speaking a language other than English at home, and 50% of them reported they spoke English “not well.” A recent article in The Patch gave deep analysis of the census data.

It was this need that propelled Tarrytown resident Mary Jane Driscoll to join Literacy Volunteers 20 years ago. 

“For me, the tutoring experience was the most direct way I could help someone in my community to negotiate our language and our culture. It also taught me a lot about my own language," she said. 

 Ms. Driscoll assumed the role as tutor training facilitator 15 years ago, running workshops twice a year to train other tutors.  Using a videos, speakers, textbooks, PowerPoint-supported lectures and in-class group work, Ms. Driscoll shows tutor trainees how to work even with students who speak absolutely no English.  Tutors employ pictures, games, drills, flashcards and other materials they gather or find within the Literacy Volunteers’ offices, housed on the second floor of the Warner Library. Tutoring takes place in one of the three cubicles in that office as well.

Some students have English skills adequate for shopping, making appointments, and certain jobs, but not for higher education. Jessica was born in the United States, but moved to Equador before she was school-age. 

“I was a college student in Equador when I moved back to Tarrytown,” Jessica said.  “I studied English in Equador, but I cannot understand lectures at Westchester Community College.  They talk too fast!” she said. 

After less than a year of study with Literacy Volunteers of the Tarrytowns, Jessica’s English has improved so greatly that she is almost ready to graduate from Literacy Volunteers.

Because of the wide range of student ability, each tutor crafts lessons to fit the level of the individual student.

“My student is new to this country and when we first met had virtually no exposure to English," Tutor Christine Pepe said. "Through pictures and flashcards we first established our similarities and I introduced words pertaining to the family. Then our lessons focused on everyday vocabulary and concepts that she might encounter at school, on the playground and at the doctor's office.”

Ligia Galindo, another student from Equador, is studying with her tutor for the United States citizenship exam, which she intends to take this summer.

“Ligia has worked with me for a year and a half,” reports Frederick Steigman, a tutor and board member of Literacy Volunteers of the Tarrytowns.  “In that time, she has improved her English skills enormously. She now knows more about our government than many natural-born citizens.”

Anyone over 19 who can speak English well can serve as a tutor, after completing six training classes, each lasting three hours.  A background in teaching is not expected or required, only a desire to be a friend and to help someone who is in most cases new to this country. 

Tutors come from all walks of life. Mr. Steigman is a mechanical engineering consultant and a mathematics tutor. Ms. Driscoll works as a Content Manager in the Database Development department at FactSet Research Systems – a company that provides investment professionals with analytical software and global financial databases.

“When I started tutoring, I was an investment banker, a Mom and a grad student,” Ms. Driscoll said. 

Christine Pepe, who began tutoring one year ago, works as a sign interpreter, a career that involves communicating for those who cannot hear others speak.

“There are many similarities between the Deaf community and those with limited English,” Pepe said. “Both are linguistic minorities in this country. There is no doubt that effective communication is key to success and achievement. My goal in becoming a tutor is to assist someone from my community master English and in the end become more empowered.”   

Like Driscoll, Pepe is a working mother who still feels it’s important to make time to tutor. 

“It's such a cliché, that ‘it feels good to give back to society’ but it really is true.  I know the more my student learns English, the easier it will be for her to help her child with school work, find a job and to interact with English speakers.   It's been great!”

While the waiting list is significant, it is not closed – if you know of someone who would benefit from this program, he or she can be added to the waiting list by filling out a registration form with the front desk of the Warner Library. 

Registration for the training, which begins February 26 at 9 a.m., is now open.  Fliers about the program are available at the Warner Library, and more information and a registration form can be found at http://www.lvtarrytown.org/members/join.html