Oceanside READS celebrates 25 years of English teaching and learning

Oceanside READS Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Oceanside READS, a learning center that serves adults from all walks of life, celebrated its 25th anniversary this year.

Our Oceanside: A Collection of Learner Stories

As a homage to the diversity present at the center and reflected in the city of Oceanside, participants of the program wrote a book “Our Oceanside: A Collection of Learner Stories.” It’s a collection of 52 narratives, poems, and pieces of art and Oceanside READS’ first anthology ever.

1. “This story begins with a journey to the United States. Filled with hope and aspiration to a brighter future …”
2. “Come here she told me sweetly, my mother one day. I still seem to hear a heavenly melody in the sound of her voice …”
3. “Lucid. Innovative. Build. Read. Appreciative. Read. Year.”
4. “I was frustrated because I found barriers. The barrier was English, but I keep going …”

All the stories in the book were written by adults who, not too long ago, couldn’t speak, read, or write in English.

The Focus of Oceanside READS

“It’s been a really moving experience for a lot of our adult learners to see their writing in print. They are local authors. Their book is published in our library, in other libraries …” said Chelsea Eggli, the literacy coordinator for the center.

She said the focus of the center is helping adults reach their goals. “Any adult basic-education goal, be it citizenship, reading, writing, speaking English, reading with your children. We help people with all of those goals,” Eggli said.   

Funding and Volunteers

The city of Oceanside provides the space for the center and the program is funded through the California Library Literacy Services.

Oceanside READS has only a handful of paid staff members. Eggli said the real work comes from the volunteers who help tutor English learners with group lessons and one-on-one sessions to help each student reach their goals.

“Our volunteers are the backbone of what we do. Our wonderful cafecito groups are led by volunteers and we try to provide them the training to make them feel ready to do that. But really it’s our community helping community, which I think is so cool,” she said.

A Safe Space for English Learners

Eggli says the center is a safe space for many people intimidated by the English language, like Amalia, who felt nervous about trying to learn the language.

She didn’t want to share her last name.

“I didn’t know how to speak English. Only ‘Hello.’ But when I read a book, I understand a little bit. But when people talk to me, I understand never … nothing. But now, I can speak a little bit when another people,” she said. 

Students at Oceanside READS help each other, Amalia said, and create new friendships as they learn.

The Power of Diversity

“There’s a lot of diversity here at READS. And I think that’s what makes it really unique,” Eggli said. “We have people that maybe had to leave school at age 8 and they’re coming back at age 50. And then we have people that are doctors in their home country and then they’re learning English and starting over. There’s a lot of power in introducing people to people that are different than them and being able to see the commonalities there.”

But what all the students at Oceanside READS share is that they are present and trying something new.

“You can do it,” said Doris, an English learner. “You can be positive and the bad things that happened in your life maybe hurt you, but made you better.”

Join Oceanside READS

The center always welcomes new volunteers and students.

Hours for the center are flexible. Tutoring and group lessons vary between the center, Oceanside libraries, and community centers.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article:

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

Specific targets under those SDGs based on the article’s content:

• SDG 4.6: By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
• SDG 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.

Indicators mentioned or implied in the article:

• Number of adults who have achieved literacy and numeracy skills.
• Level of social, economic, and political inclusion of adults from diverse backgrounds.
• Availability of public access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

The article highlights the work of Oceanside READS, a learning center that serves adults from all walks of life. This aligns with SDG 4: Quality Education, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all. The specific target under this SDG that can be identified is Target 4.6: By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy. The indicator mentioned in the article is the number of adults who have achieved literacy and numeracy skills.

The article also emphasizes the diversity present at the center and the importance of social inclusion. This connects to SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, which aims to empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all. The specific target under this SDG that can be identified is Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. The indicator mentioned in the article is the level of social, economic, and political inclusion of adults from diverse backgrounds.

Furthermore, the article mentions the center’s focus on providing public access to information and creating a safe space for individuals intimidated by the English language. This relates to SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, which aims to ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms. The specific target under this SDG that can be identified is Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements. The indicator mentioned in the article is the availability of public access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms.

Therefore, the table summarizing the findings from analyzing the article is as follows:

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: kpbs.org

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