Allison Tinch, LLCC ESL instructor, showcased her expertise at the Illinois Teachers of Bilingual Education (ITBE) conference in Chicago on Feb. 24. The focus of her presentation, “Family, Culture, Self: Unraveling the Motivational Forces in Adult ESL Learners,” delved into the intricate influences of family and native language (L1) community on the motivation of adult ESL learners. She shared valuable insights for enhancing responsive programs that seamlessly integrate classrooms with the social environments of learners. Along with sharing her knowledge with other ESL instructors across the state, Allison returned with valuable ESL instructional approaches, methods and best practices. Her sharing of these insights with colleagues actively contributes to the ongoing professional growth within the ESL teaching community.
Category Archives: Adult Education
Congratulations Margarita Zinn, on her new role
LLCC Adult Education and Literacy congratulates Margarita Zinn on moving from part-time to full-time program assistant. Margarita is a 2021 LLCC alumna who has been working part-time at the college for the past year. She began her full-time duties on March 1. You may reach out to her at 217-786-2349 or margarita.zinn@llcc.edu. Congratulations Margarita!
LLCC awarded $400,000 student transition grant
LLCC was recently awarded a $400,000 grant from the Illinois Community College Board to create, support and expand bridge programs and services for adult education students through the Innovative Bridge and Transition (IBT) Grant program.
LLCC aims to increase opportunities for student transitions from State of Illinois High School Diploma preparation or English as a second language courses to and through workforce and health care training at the college so that graduates can achieve certificates, industry recognized credentials and employment.
“We’re looking forward to expanding the support we can provide as part of collaborative teaching practices between career training instructors and basic skills instructors,” explains Patty Mendoza, director of adult education and literacy at LLCC. “The students will receive additional instruction as well as reading, math and language skill assistance contextualized to the career training program in which they are enrolled.”
LLCC provided one such support course with additional instruction and basic skills assistance in diesel technologies this fall. This grant will allow for the expansion of such opportunities in areas such as automotive technology, hospitality, basic nurse assistant (CNA) and business.
The grant will also fund a part-time navigator position to support and provide enrollment assistance to students as they transition from adult basic education and English as a second language courses to career training programs at the college.
For more information about LLCC Adult Education programming, visit www.llcc.edu/adult-education, email AdultEducationandLiteracy@llcc.edu or call 217-786-2349.
In the news
Patty Mendoza, director, adult education and literacy, was interviewed by WICS yesterday. She discussed the $400,000 granted by the Illinois Community College Board and how LLCC will be creating and expanding bridge programs and providing support services for adult education students.
Sheridan Lane, director, culinary program and operations, wrote “Mocktails are for celebrating” for this week’s Epicuriosity 101 column in the State Journal-Register.
LLCC hosting meeting on volunteer tutoring Oct. 2
LLCC is hosting an information meeting for interested individuals to learn about becoming a volunteer tutor with the college’s adult education program at its Litchfield and Hillsboro locations. The meeting will be held Oct. 2, 5-5:30 p.m. at the Hillsboro Public Library, 420 S. Main St.
The session will provide details on the program, training and requirements. Volunteers are needed to help adults improve their reading, math, English and writing skills.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old with reading and/or math abilities, but they do not need to have a teaching degree. LLCC will provide all the training and materials the tutors need, including the books tutors will use with the students and a tutoring handbook.
The time commitment can be a minimum of one hour a week (although some volunteer for two or three hours per week), and times are flexible based on each tutor’s availability. Multiple formats are also available, including face-to-face, remote and a combination of the two. Tutors primarily work with students Monday through Friday but can also volunteer for the weekend.
The volunteer tutoring program is made possible through a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a division of the office of the Illinois Secretary of State, using funds designated for literacy.
For more information about LLCC Adult Education programming, visit www.llcc.edu/adult-education or call 217-786-2349.
LLCC hosting meeting on volunteer tutoring Oct. 2
LLCC is hosting an information meeting for interested individuals to learn about becoming a volunteer tutor with the college’s adult education program at its Litchfield and Hillsboro locations. The meeting will be held Oct. 2, 5-5:30 p.m. at the Hillsboro Public Library, 420 S. Main St.
The session will provide details on the program, training and requirements. Volunteers are needed to help adults improve their reading, math, English and writing skills.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old with reading and/or math abilities, but they do not need to have a teaching degree. LLCC will provide all the training and materials the tutors need, including the books tutors will use with the students and a tutoring handbook.
The time commitment can be a minimum of one hour a week (although some volunteer for two or three hours per week), and times are flexible based on each tutor’s availability. Multiple formats are also available, including face-to-face, remote and a combination of the two. Tutors primarily work with students Monday through Friday but can also volunteer for the weekend.
The volunteer tutoring program is made possible through a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a division of the office of the Illinois Secretary of State, using funds designated for literacy.
For more information about LLCC Adult Education programming, visit www.llcc.edu/adult-education or call 217-786-2349.
LLCC Adult Education hosts graduation
LLCC celebrated the accomplishments of our students who passed their GED® over the past year at a graduation held May 9 in the Trutter Center.
Summer Smiles clothes drive
The adult English as a Second Language (ESL) class taught by Jeri Gorden is collecting clothing and bottled water for distribution to local shelters in a project called “Summer Smiles.”
The donation box is located on the first floor of the Millennium Center and is available through May 5. The class will deliver all items to local shelters in Springfield.
While the students are learning English, they are also learning about the diverse American culture. As part of their class, they studied homelessness and decided to start this project to help people in need. By doing a clothes drive, they are gaining a better understanding of community needs.
Drop by Adult Education March 30 to wish Jamil Steele well
You are invited to stop by the LLCC Adult Education office in Millennium Center, Room 1132, on Thursday, March 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to say goodbye to Jamil Steele, director of adult education, and wish him well on his last full day on campus.
State Senator Mattie Hunter visits LLCC
State Senator and Assistant Majority Leader Mattie Hunter visited LLCC’s Adult Education and Workforce Institute programs yesterday. She was invited to speak to adult education classes by instructor Jan Williams. Sen. Hunter is a former GED instructor and spoke encouragingly to each student preparing for their high school equivalency tests along with those learning English as a Second Language. She then, along with several adult education students, toured the Workforce Institute programs with LLCC President Charlotte Warren and other college officials.
