Literacy brings immigrants closer to full participation in life

Native Spanish speakers break the code of the written word with help from an L.A. adult-education center, writes Hector Tobar.

In her one-bedroom apartment in the Pico-Union district, garment worker Julia Rodriguez lives surrounded by young readers.

Her oldest child, 10-year-old Santos, is giving Harry Potter a try. Nine-year-old Wendy devours girl-detective stories. Even her youngest, 6-year-old Marlyn, zips through early reader books.

"Tim spins," Marlyn reads from her book. "Tim spins his hat."

Julia listens to her daughter and beams. Until recently, the 34-year-old mother of three couldn't read the simplest sentence in any language. Having been illiterate most of her life, she feels deep, bittersweet emotions watching her children master reading.

Earlier this year, in the classrooms of the nonprofit Centro Latino for Literacy, Julia finally started learning to read and write herself.

Read the rest of Tobar's column here.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

Image: Julia Rodriguez, 34, says her children, Santos, left, Marlyn and Wendy, inspired her to learn to read. "Before, there was no sun for me. Now I feel" more awake, Julia says. She recently bought her first book. (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

Comments

[Randy L. AZ Resident]

"The NONPROFIT Centro Latino for Literacy"

"...with help from an L.A. adult-education center"

I wonder when Los Angeles became part of another country???

[Rodo]

These kind of initiatives are nothing but commendable. The willingness of women like the ones the article talks about are something remarkable. On the other hand, it is a pity that the public education system in the US is not taking advantage of the bilingual skills that children of Spanish-speaking immigrants are bringing to the table. Instead of treating the Spanish-speaking student as a menace or a challenge, the US education system should take advantage of a huge pool of bilingual speakers. Bilingual people, specially English-Spanish, is a strength for a country, not a challenge.

[Kate l. wall]

No matter the national origin of the person, one important aspect to literacy that I rarely see covered (and this 2-part piece was no exception) is emergencies.
How many times is a child admitted to the ER because the parent could not read the label and properly dose the child? How many times does an illiterate parent get something over-the-counter that may harm or kill either themselves or their children?
Do warnings help when you can't read them, no matter the language?
Is there a test for foster parents &/or other family members who may temporarily take care of children &/or elderly?
I know a lot of physicians don't like having to rely on a young child to be a translator; how does it work when medication is precribed & taken home? Does the child translate the label & explain what's meant be a "teaspoon"?
Reading for work or to get around is important. Being able to read and help prevent accidental overdoses or preventable emergencies is also critical.
Mr. Tobar -- More follow-up, please. Let's take a look at literacy and the effect on emergencies and emergency medicine at home & in the workplace.

[ESFUERZO]

"The NONPROFIT Centro Latino for Literacy" Randy L., maybe you should learn to read English, but then again i'm not surprised. I've read all the ignorant garbage you post, typical backwoods hate monger. I applaude this womans efforts to learn the English language. I mean, isn't that what you "righteous real americans" whine about.

[Gustavo CL]

Why is this blog called "Latin American News" if 80% of the stories are about inmigrants in the US? Is the US part of Latin America already?

[Randy L.]

You think they would consider this before they come here. No, they figure America will pay for it.
Greedy people.