THE ENGLISH CONVERSATION CIRCLE class/group meets Thursdays, 10-11:30 a.m., at the Battle Ground Community Library, 1207 SE 8th Way, Battle Ground. This is an opportunity for participants to practice conversational English with other English learners from beginning to intermediate levels.
THE BATTLE GROUND Community Library held an English Literacy Program holiday party on Dec. 20. Attendees shared holiday treats and made large decorative paper snowflakes. One little girl used the paper to make origami cranes.
Since 2002, the English Literacy Program at the Battle Ground Community Library has aimed to provide immigrants support to improve their language skills, find resources in the community and begin to make friends and forge relationships.
Jackie Spurlock, community librarian at the Battle Ground Library, said the English Literacy Program began in September 2002, with a gift of “seed” money from the Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation. Community member Nettie Pullella-Barca volunteered to organize and coordinate the program using funding and resources from the Friends of the Battle Ground Library, Clark College’s Adult Literacy Program and the library, in addition to the initial start money.
The program is now completely run by the Battle Ground Community Library, with support from the Friends of the Battle Ground Library and the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District.
Three different classes make up the English Literacy Program at the Battle Ground Library – the Citizenship Class, Let’s Talk Grammar and the English Conversation Circle.
Spurlock said the Citizenship Class is taught by volunteer Vi Arola. It is a 25-week course in which Arola covers U.S. history and government for people preparing for the U.S. citizenship test. Spurlock said Arola has been teaching this class for several years and, until now, it had been meeting at Sacred Heart Church in Battle Ground. In 2013, the class meetings are being brought to the Battle Ground Library. Beginning Jan. 8, classes will be every Tuesday, 10 a.m., at the library, 1207 SE 8th Way, Battle Ground. No children’s activities are provided for this class.
The Citizenship Class is every Tuesday, 10-11:30 a.m., until June 25. People do not have to be eligible for citizenship to attend, but they must understand spoken and written English.
The grammar class, Let’s Talk Grammar, is taught by two volunteers, Carol Mumme and Kathrin Dodds. Spurlock said this class offers “useful grammar and practical conversation” in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Separate activities for participants’ children are led by volunteers Dee Hale and Nancy Hunt.
The grammar class is ongoing and is held Wednesdays, 10-11:30 a.m., at the Battle Ground Community Library.
The third class/activity, English Conversation Circle, is an opportunity to practice conversational English with other English learners from beginning to intermediate levels. Spurlock said this class is taught by volunteers Nettie Pullella-Barca, Michele Antolin and Roland Waters. Separate activities for participants’ children are led by volunteers Leana Brodie and Judy Turner.
English Conversation Circle is ongoing and is held Thursdays, 10-11:30 a.m., at the Battle Ground Library.
Spurlock said each class of the English Literacy Program averages around 5-10 people per session.
“The regulars have bonded and regularly share each others’ ups and downs and daily lives,” Spurlock said. “New people come and people move away, but the classes remain an anchor for the regulars. New members are readily enfolded into the groups. Regular social gatherings, such as a trip to the Pomeroy Farm or a holiday celebration, draw 20 or 30 people, including all of the children. About 50 people came to the 10th Anniversary Celebration in September.”
There is no cost to attend these classes.
The English Literacy Program also has a dedicated space in the new Battle Ground Community Library, known as the Pat Redjou English Literacy Area, named by a major donor to the new library’s building campaign, in memory of Pat Redjou, a volunteer who started the first adult literacy program at the old Battle Ground Library about 15 years ago. Pat Redjou is now deceased. Spurlock said Pat Redjou is honored in the space in the new library with a plaque, a photo and one of her paintings on the wall. The space features a round table for conversing and interacting, cupboards and shelves for learning materials and the library’s world language and English learning collections. The weekly group classes are held in this space.
Spurlock said at least 225 people from at least 20 countries have participated in the various groups that make up the English Literacy Program over the years, and several have become U.S. citizens. Spurlock said one class member’s son received a scholarship to Stanford University. One member was coached by the volunteers to receive her GED.
“She (the member) had never learned simple arithmetic and math was the part she was most nervous about,” Spurlock said. “Upon learning that she had passed the GED exam, she exclaimed: ‘I love math now. I just didn’t know or understand it before. Now it is my favorite subject!’ She is now thinking about college.”
Spurlock said the English Literacy Program was also a finalist for the Heart of Community Award, sponsored by the Portland Trail Blazers, in 2004.
For more information on these and other Battle Ground Community Library programs, call the library at (360) 687-2322. The library is located in Battle Ground Village at 1207 SE 8th Way, Battle Ground.
