OASIS LEARNING CENTER
PROGRAM: Oasis Learning Center
AGENCY:
First Baptist Church - Fort Lauderdale
CONTACT: Wanda Herring,
PROGRAM MISSION: The First Baptist Church began offering literacy tutoring in 1990.
Currently, the Center provides two adult literacy classes: Reading & Writing and
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Included within each session is a biblical
lesson.
business card templates free Cooper Landing
The Reading & Writing course is a one-to-one tutoring
program using the Laubach technique. The ESOL course has one instructor teaching students
matched by comparable abilities. The available class distinctions are: pre-literate,
beginning, intermediate and advanced. The teaching methods for these classes are the
Winning Program and Crossroads Café video series. The Winning Program technique is the
teenage and adult adaptation of the Sing, Spell, Read and Write program used with
children. It is phonics based and set to music. Crossroads Café combines videos and
student workbooks to teach English while exploring real life situations.
Video tapes are used for tutor/instructor training: Laubach Workshop (two 90 minute
videos) and Winning. An additional hour of one-to-one training by Wanda focuses on using
the available materials and successful teaching techniques. Crossroads Café provides
instruction manuals for presenting the materials. Since all training and classes are
conducted at the church on Tuesday evenings, a tutor/instructor can always get assistance
from a co-volunteer on site during the session.
SCOPE OF THE
PROGRAM: Church
members are recruited as instructors/tutors via the church bulletin and word of mouth. It
is recommended that volunteers examine their intentions and that only those who have been
called to this mission by God participate in the program. They are told of the extreme
patience and dedication needed as adult literacy tutors. They are told that they may spend
two to three years helping one student master the skills to read and they are required to
make a minimum one year commitment to the program.
Students are recruited to the program through the
Florida Literacy Coalition, First Call For Help and word of mouth (referrals from
participating students). On average, 8 -15 students attend a two-hour class every Tuesday
. The Learning Center isfrom 6;00 – 9:30p.m. Sessions are approximately twelve
weeks in length.
The Oasis Learning Center recognizes the difficulty of student retention for adult
literacy programs. This program encourages student accountability and tries to provide an
pleasant experience for students attending each session.
Students are expected to contact their tutor if they are going to miss a class and to
explain why. A tutor who is not contacted in advance and has an absent student is expected
to contact the student directly.
Every Tuesday evening program includes a break during
which time refreshments are served and often there is a program of music, singing, games
and prizes. At the end of each term, those students with 100% attendance are awarded a
prize.
This program has more interested students than available
tutors. There is a waiting list of approximately 6-8 potential participants.
FUNDING:The Oasis Learning Center is funded by The First Baptist Church.
ELIGIBILITY:
FEES: As recommended by other literacy programs, this program requires a
financial investment by the student ( a free program can be perceived as a valueless
program.) Students are required to cover the costs for their workbooks. The church funds
all books that can be used over time by more than one student.. Students who can not make
the financial commitment at the beginning of the term are permitted to pay on a weekly
basis (e.g. $.25 a week.) Bibles and biblical materials are provided at no charge. |
Local