Signs around WVU’s Woodburn Circle alerted people to statistics about literacy during Literacy Volunteers of Monongalia & Preston Counties Need-to-Read Read-In, Thursday.
The goal of the event was to promote awareness of LVMPC’s programs, volunteer Joe Wakim said.
“Just bring a book and read,” Jackson Jacobs said.
LVMPC works with a wide range of people from native West Virginians who slipped through the cracks and struggle with adult illiteracy to international students at WVU who want to work on improving their English, Jacobs said.
Wakim said the non-profit has worked with people from across the globe, including Russia, Saudi Arabia, China, Iran, France, Syria.
The all-volunteer program offers both classes and one-on-one tutoring. Jacobs said the tutoring is the most popular program the organization has.
“Having someone to ask questions to in a safe space is huge,” Jacobs said. “It can make all the difference.”
Tutors meet with their student at least one hour a week, Wakim said.
Classes with LVMPC volunteers are held from 6-7:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday at the Morgantown Public Library, Wakim said.
Monday is an English writing lab class, Tuesday is a English conversation table and Wednesday is an advanced English as a second language class.
Myung-Seok Shin, of South Korea, said the Tuesday classes have really helped him speak English more fluently.
“It’s a very important opportunity to learn,” he said.
Tweet Will Dean @WillDean_DP; wdean@domininionpost.com
