There is Always Common Ground
As an eighteen-year-old excited to attend Penn State, one of my main goals was to better my cultural competence. Coming from what I describe as a “cookie-cutter town,” I grew up learning a great sense of community and was surrounded by countless caring people who would drop anything to help at a moment's notice, but nearly everyone came from families like my own. There was very little diversity.
Mid-State Literacy Council Provides TOEFL Success
Five years ago, my spouse and I landed at Dulles airport on our way to State College. My husband had accepted a postdoc position at Penn State University, and I joined him to start a new chapter in our life.
Literacy: The 6th Sense
Literacy is a 6th sense, essential to understanding the world that surrounds you in a coherent and rational manner. Literacy is not just flipping through textbooks, it is comprehending the news, reading a room, and ultimately the key to communication. How do you read the world around you? Do you comfortably flow through the torrent of our literary surroundings; or do you feel adrift and unheard when trying to illustrate your perceptions?
Building Meaningful Connections Through Reading and Tutoring
Coming to America is very good for people who don’t know the American life. You have many opportunities to choose a job, school, and church. For me, I chose a job through my church parish.
From Hungary to Morocco to State College: Reflections of an ESL Tutor
After being encouraged by a friend to volunteer with the Mid-State Literacy Council, I began tutoring an ESL student the Fall 2020 semester.
Brilliant Base 10: A Look into our Numerical System
Hello mathematicians! As a teacher and an individual who loves math, one of my favorite concepts to teach is our base 10 system.
A Great Resource for Bilingual Consumer Health by Brad Long
The National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus database is a well-known, high-quality resource for consumer health information, including in Spanish.
Motivation to Socially Gather: In a Post-Pandemic World
As we continue to live in a world of unpredictability, it is not uncommon to feel a lack of motivation because of quarantines and self-isolation.
Zoom In on Computer Literacy for Grandparents
The COVID pandemic has challenged all of us in different ways. Computer technology has become the lifeline for many families to remain in touch with loved ones. But how do you teach basic computer skills when you are unable to meet in person?
Advocating for Health Literacy
I went into my experience volunteering with the Mid-State Literacy Council with the sole expectation that I would be teaching the students; however, these individuals taught me just as much as I taught them, and that is something that I will cherish now and bring with me in my future endeavors, as well.
Ruth Kistler’s Legacy of Literacy
Mid-State Literacy Council (MSLC) has become a well-known name around the State College area for both volunteers and adult learners.
Learning as I Teach
I have taught at Mid-State Literacy Council since 2019. I began teaching the “English for Doctor’s Visits” course and since then, have taught three other semesters.