Written by Volunteer Tutor Patricia Tephly
I became involved with Literacy Volunteers after I retired from teaching. I wanted to use my skills in a different yet meaningful way. I enjoy teaching adults and have formed many friendships. I feel like I’m not only a teacher but a friend as I become personally involved in my students family lives. They know I am there to assist them when needed. Becoming a tutor has given my life purpose and a lot of joy.
I began as Ai’s tutor in October 2003 when her previous tutor was no longer able to continue. We have worked on many things together. Ai is studying to become an American citizen, and has learned geographical terms, the seven continents, and major oceans. She is learning about the American flag and "The Star Spangled Banner".
Ai had said she wanted to go to church, so I brought her to my church and now she regularly attends services. We studied some hymns to learn vocabulary, tunes, and pronunciation in a meaningful way. She also learned The Prayer for Peace, by repeating, practice and writing.
I assisted Ai when she wanted to purchase a car by helping her call the Car Dealer and her bank to help her apply for a loan. Ai was then able to call the bank and talk on the telephone herself after listening to me talk on the telephone. I encourage her to ask people to slow down if they are speaking too quickly, or ask them to repeat what they have said if she doesn't understand the first time.
Ai invited me to her apartment to share Chinese New Year's Eve. She prepared a wonderful feast of seafood, vegetables, and tasty treats. Her son, who is also enrolled as a Literacy Volunteer learner, came home from work to eat with us. They told me how Chinese New Year was celebrated in China. They showed me lots of family photographs sharing their family and their culture.
In July Ai called to tell me her husband was coming from China to America and her family would be all together again. She had not seen him for four and a half years. She invited me to her apartment to meet her husband, who had everything ready for lunch. Her husband told her to tell me that he was so thankful for the United States government so he could be in America, and he was thankful for me as a tutor.
I began bringing in the real estate ads for Ai to read what houses were like, and explain the abbreviations in the advertisements. A short time later I received a call that Ai could not attend our lesson because he was at the bank signing for a new house.
