LCoM- Literacy News September 2015

LITERACY CENTER NEWS



This is your child’s brain on reading.

When parents read to their children, the difference shows in children’s behavior and academic performance. And according to a new study, the difference also shows in their brain activity.
Researchers looked at children ages 3 to 5 who underwent brain scans called functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while listening to a pre-recorded story. The parents answered questions about how much they read to, and communicated with, their children.  Read more.

The Significance of South Korea’s
70th Anniversary of Independence


August 15th, 2015 is a historical date for Korea because this year marks Korea’s 70th anniversary of Liberation from the Japanese colonial period. The time, the Independence of Korea 1945, is looked at being so miserable that the country was embarrassed both economically and politically.

In addition to this, Korea was divided, north and south, because of the Cold War between the U.S and the Soviet Union. To make matters worse, on June 25, 1950, the Korean War broke out as North Korean forces attacked South Korea. This war lasted three years and totally destroyed South Korea. The only lifeline set in place to stand up to the ruins after the war was the United States and other members of the international community’s support. Support, especially from the United States, between 1953 and 1960 (which was then the government of South Korea) reached a total of $1.7 billion. It was enough to make up more than 40 % of the total budget.  But it was South Korea that created something out of nothing.

The South Koreans caught two rabbits at once. Those were the advancement of democracy and being transformed into an industrialized market economy. It is unprecedented in the world stage and is difficult to compare an equal value as successful.

In 1953, South Korea’s GDP (Gross domestic product per capita) was just $67 and the amount of export was $25 million, but in 2014, has increased to $28,180 and 573 billion.

As South Korea’s economy continues to grow, the country is becoming the 11th largest exporter, and main exports are semiconductors and automobiles, wireless communications equipment, cellular phones, ships, steel, petrochemical, oil and petroleum products, computers etc. South Korea is being highlighted as an exemplary economic model of many developing countries.

South Korea was listed in the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) in 1961 as “Aid beneficiary countries” but changed to “Donor country assistance” in 1996. That was the first example of this ever happening.

South Korea emerged in status from a recipient of global donations 
to a donor that proudly offered aid to developing countries. Finally, I’ll just say one more thing; without the help of the United States
in today’s Korea having a developed state would have been difficult.

I also offer my heartfelt appreciation to the Korean War veterans. Their blood, sweat and tears helped safeguard freedom and democracy.
For your information, during the Korean War  (1950 – 1953), 54,246 American soldiers were killed and 103,284 were wounded, with 8,177 missing.

Jacob Lee is from South Korea and received his US citizenship this year!  His tutor is Helen Anastasio.

Volunteer to become a Tutor

A wonderful opportunity for you can make a difference in someone else’s life!  Did you know there are more than 25,000 people in Milford, Stratford and West Haven without a high school diploma?  Did you know there are more than 3,400 adults who are not fluent in English and there are 57 non-English languages spoken in these cities?   (Data taken from the Milford, Stratford and West Haven School District Strategic School Profile, 2012-2013)

The Literacy Center of Milford offers five-week volunteer TUTOR TRAINING classes in ESL (English as a Second Language).  

Classes begin Sept 16.

There is a $20 fee for course materials. Knowledge of a foreign language is not necessary. All prospective volunteer tutors will be interviewed in advance.  For further information, call The Literacy Center office between the hours of 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 203-878-4800.

Additionally, if you are interested in working with students preparing for their GED (General Equivalency Diploma) examination, or prefer to help adult students with basic literacy skills, call the Center’s office for an interview.

The Literacy Center of Milford is part of the ProLiteracy network of adult basic education and literacy programs. ProLiteracy is working with its member programs to raise awareness of available ESL services.


Interested in helping a child read? 
Join our Superstar Reading Program!

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

September
16- Tutor Training Classes begin, 5 weeks. 6-8 pm

October
20- Chip’s Fundraiser Breakfast Dinner
21- Computer Class, 6-8 pm

November
6- Fall Dinner Dance, Costa Azzurra Restaurant

English Classes
Monday, 7:15 pm- Conversation Class
Tuesday, 9:30 am- Advanced Class
Tuesday, 6:30 pm- Intermediate Class with child care (Sept-June)
Wednesday, 12:30 pm- Intermediate Class
More information on one on one tutoring.

Computer Classes
Call to sign up, 203-878-4800



From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
National Punctuation Day is a celebration of punctuation that occurs each year on September 24th in the United States of America. Founded by Jeff Rubin in 2004, National Punctuation Day simply promotes the correct usage of punctuation. Rubin encourages appreciators of correct punctuation and spelling to send in pictures of errors spotted in everyday life.


Ways to Support our
Literacy Programs!

OR Consider choosing the Literacy Center of Milford
on Amazon Smile
A donation is made to the Center with
every purchase you make!  WOW, How easy is that?



Or visit Helping Hands in Orange when dropping off your donated items and choose the Literacy  Center of Milford. 
A donation will be made from the sale of your donations when you choose LCoM.


Or go to Chari Deal and save big with great
Coupon Deals and support the
Literacy Center of Milford.

 

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