Immigrants taught English at library

This is the way to help immigrants become Americans. Free classes for residents of Kent County RI, to become more proficient in English. People from Portugal, Poland, China, Mexico, Columbia, Guatemala, Brazil, Honduras, the Ukraine, the Dominican Republic and Russia are attending the classes. DP

Kent County Daily Times: Jian Yuan is 23 years old. She was born in China but moved to the United States with her family a year and a half ago. When she arrived here she spoke very little English, but today, after 24 hours of instruction in the free literacy classes at the West Warwick Public Library, she is speaking, reading and understanding English much clearer.

Earlier this month, she and two dozen or so other immigrants in similar situations received their certificates for successfully completing the fall session of the literacy program.

Now if someone says something to her like "that was the icing on the cake" or "you're the cream of the crop," chances are she'll know what they mean. The classroom instructors spend time on these easily overlooked idioms with their students.

Depending on their age, literacy and education level, students also receive instruction on reading and writing in English, resume writing, conversing in English and basic computer skills.

"We basically start by teaching our students the survival skills that they need to be successful in the United States," said Sue Schweikart, the literacy coordinator for the program. "Once they know their way around a grocery store, how to shop, how to write a check and basic reading, writing and speaking skills, then we begin work with them more closely on grammar, literature and vocabulary."

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