
Literacy Volunteers of Laredo
The Bridge was able to team up with students from Texas A&M International University to attend a tutoring session held by the Literacy Volunteers of Laredo (LVL), a group of volunteer language tutors that teach adult education classes for those wanting to learn English as a second language (ESL) and basic English reading skills. The Bridgesat in during a session taught by Johnny DeLeon, a volunteer who has around 7 years of varied experience in teaching and tutoring.
The class was given an exercise to help them recognize simple words that are used in common day english. DeLeon assured that spelling and grammar are not his utmost concern at this stage of the teaching process, stating, "They're practicing so that they can recognize the words. We're not too much interested right now in the grammar part of it because we want [them] to just recognize the words right now and let them pronounce them." The LVL students were given a few minutes to write sentences using a word bank to complete them, which they then read aloud and were corrected when needed.
The course can run for about 3 years, meeting for one hour a day, twice a week. However, there is not a set end date or time for students. The average student body can consist of 10-15 students at a time. DeLeon stated, "they strive to achieve from one another, it's like classroom dynamics. The more students, or preferably 15 students, would be an ideal group where they can interact with one another and you know you're going to have some success." All of the students in that particular session were Spanish speakers. Some students mentioned that they sought out the class because they simply wanted to learn English. One student was asked why she volunteered and she mentioned that she sees it as a necessary tool in the common workplace and that without it, she feels that getting a job would be difficult.
The Literacy Volunteers of Laredo have a staff of about 10 people, who are on a volunteer basis. The students in attendance are also volunteers; DeLeon says that they have been very appreciative of what the LVL has done for them. DeLeon mentioned, "Since we're volunteers, that is a very satisfying part of it and they are grateful, it's a good feeling when someone comes to you and they learn something."
The Bridge was able to experience how difficult learning English as a person who learning it as a second language. The Literacy Volunteers of Laredo are located at 1 West End Washington at Laredo Community College and can be reached at (956) 724-5207 or www.facebook.com/LVLaredo.
(Jose Quezada and Joanna Amaya may be reached at jlqjr2006@dusty.tamiu.edu & joannaamaya@dusty.tamiu.edu)
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
More thebridgenewspaper News Articles
- New Options for Laredo Foodies
- State of the art Alamo Drafthouse movie theater coming to Laredo this Spring
- Daily Commute Creates Difficulty
- Jalapeño Festival draws hundreds of Laredoans
Recent thebridgenewspaper News Articles
Discuss This Article
MOST POPULAR THEBRIDGENEWSPAPER

Top 5 Essential College Apps By Tina Gomez, Senior Reporter

Donuts a Call Away By Tina Gomez, Senior Report

FEAR is Coming By Judith Mae Aguilar, Senior Reporter

New Options for Laredo Foodies By Judith Mae Aguilar, Senior Reporter
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST THEBRIDGENEWSPAPER
RECENT THEBRIDGENEWSPAPER CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- How AI Prompts Can Level the Playing Field for...
- A Faster Way To A Happier Year for Houstonians:...
- A Faster Way To A Happier Year In Albuquerque: High-Speed...
- Understanding Thyroid Health
- Financial Wellness in 2025: Start with These Simple Steps
- Updated Pneumococcal Vaccine Recommendations Will Help...
- America’s Spam Scorecard
- Hints To Help You Have A Better New Year
- Finding Malu: Restoring Family Links Program Reconnects...
- Reducing Your Risk of RSV: What You Need to Know
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- Kindness Knows No Season at Toys for Tots
- BookTrib’s Bites: Four Reads That Will Capture Your Heart
- Goodbye Needles, Hello Convenience: Exploring Compounded...
- From College Athlete to Advocate: Tackling Hypertension...
- Widespread Accessibility Barriers Still Exist for...
- 4 Sneaky and Creative Ways to Boost Your Kids' Immunity...
- Securing America’s Scientific Leadership Takes Innovation
- School choice: A lifeline for Latino families in America
- BookTrib’s Bites: Four Captivating Winter Reads
- As K-12 enrollment shifts, families lead education´s ...
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- The Obama Foundation Opens Applications for the 2025-2027 Voyager Scholarship, the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service
- EDYOU LAUNCHES TO 4,000 COLLEGE COMMUNITIES, INTRODUCING A VERIFIED, AUTHENTIC SOCIAL MEDIA 2.0 PLATFORM FOR GEN Z COLLEGE STUDENTS
- Learn Filmmaking by Making a Feature Film While Earning an MFA
- DOSOMETHING ENCOURAGES YOUNG PEOPLE TO DISCOVER GREEN CAREERS THROUGH THE GREENPRINT
- AmeriCorps Seeks Members to Lead the Future of Public Health