With the right reading instruction it is possible for almost anyone to learn to read- regardless of age. These 3 stories reveal it is possible for adults to learn to read despite past experiences and background.
Story #1: Jahara
Earlier this week the New York Times published an article about the adult reading program at the New York Public Library. The article highlighted one adult’s journey of learning to read as an adult immigrant to New York City from his farming village in Gambia, Africa. Jahara came to America and as he gradually built a new life for himself, his reading difficulties continued to get in the way. He finally decided he needed to change his potential and started participating in the New York Public Library’s where a volunteer tutor helped him improve his reading skills.
This article easily caught the attention of Reading Horizons, which supplies the adult reading program used at the New York Public Library. Reading Horizons products help teach reading to adults like the one in this article nationwide and worldwide. It’s exciting to read about someone’s life that has been dramatically improved by the reading program Reading Horizons works to develop and perfect.
Story #2: Tina
Tina moved to Canada in May of 2007, she was a single mom of 3 children and was struggling to afford a place to live and lacked literacy skills. She enrolled in an ESL reading program the following September and tells of her experience:
“…I started attending the ESL program at Northern Lakes College in La Crete. I completed the ESL program in January, and [will complete additional] courses in June.
I feel that I have learned many new things. I [had] never attended English classes before I came to Canada. In the Reading Horizons program, I tested [at] grade 11.3 after five weeks of [taking] the lessons, and I am very proud of myself.
Everyone has been very helpful here, including my teachers. I want to continue my education [next] September.”
Story #3: Larry
To read and view additional stories of adults that successfully learned to read click here.