Getting Out Into the Community

Here at the PVLA, our goal--in partnership with CCC Adult Education--is to provide services to the community. Through the various classes we offer, we want anyone and everyone to have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.

Since we are part of this community, we get out when we can to meet new people. This weekend, we will be at the Minority Health and Well-Being fair, hosted by the East Central District Health Department. Come say hi if you get the chance!

The Perks of a Partnership with CCC

The PVLA has been around since the 1980s, and one of the reasons we’ve endured is because we are versatile and adaptable. Our ultimate goal is to meet the needs of our students, and how lessons and information is presented changes over time.

Today, technology plays a huge role in how students learn, and to ensure they are getting the most up-to-date information, we have to have modern facilities.

Our partnership with CCC not only ensures that we have amazing instructors who truly care about the students, but that we also have amenities that are advanced and conducive to learning.

 If you haven’t seen the renovated Columbus Family Resource Center, you need to check it out. Here are some of the highlights:

• 2 offices
• 4 classrooms
• 2 tutoring rooms
• 2 testing rooms

The updated classrooms are equipped with the latest in technology that allows instructors to access online resources and display that information on large, easy-to-read screens.

The community room has space for large groups of people, and it also comes equipped with a large screen and online access.

For one-on-one tutoring sessions or for testing, we have smaller rooms that make learning personalized and cozy.

The library is stocked with a variety of hands-on learning materials and is the perfect gathering place for our Book Club.

Working together, the PVLA and CCC are doing what we can to help adult students achieve their goals. Offering the latest in learning technology benefits our students and ensures they have what they need to be successful.

Round Up and Support the PVLA

Looking for an easy way to support the PVLA? Use the Round Up feature when shopping on Walmart.com!

You may think that a few cents here and there isn’t going to make much of a difference, but you’d be surprised at how quickly that change can add up!

You can make a huge difference in the lives of adult English language learners and support their educational journey as they gain the knowledge and skills that will help them pursue dreams of higher education or a better paying job.

Donating to the PVLA is easy. All you have to do is sign into your Walmart.com account and visit our profile link. Click the button to make the PVLA your preferred charity of choice.

When you check out while shopping online or in the app, you will be prompted to click the Round Up box, which will round your total up to the nearest dollar and send the difference to us.

That’s it! It only takes a few small steps to make a huge impact.

We can’t thank you enough for your kindness and generosity. You’re truly making a difference in adult English language learners lives and giving them what they need to succeed.

Our Latest Class Offering

When you hear the word “literacy,” the first thing that probably comes to mind is the ability to read. Being able to read is an integral part of literacy, and something we focus on here at the PVLA. Reading is incorporated into all of our classes in some form or another, and we’re also offering a class that focuses specifically on the act of reading.

The Importance of Reading

Reading is an important skill to learn because it helps an individual understand and navigate the world. However, it goes far beyond that. Reading also allows a person to use their imagination, which is essential when it comes to being creative and developing thinking skills.

Being able to read also improves a person’s focus, concentration, and memory. When you read, you are exposed to new terms and vocabulary words, which expands your knowledge and communication skills.

If you are trying to learn a new language, then reading becomes essential.

Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader

Since reading is so fundamental, as a way to encourage and improve literacy through the written word and to bring people together as a group, we now offer a Book Club.

The Book Club meets twice a week, on Mondays at 5:00 to 6:00 pm and on Wednesdays at 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. The goal is to give non-native English speakers an opportunity to learn more about the English language by reading texts that are entertaining and educational.

The Book Club is led by Olivier, who has a bachelor’s degree and 15 years of teaching experience. He speaks five languages, including English, French, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, and Kiganda.

Learning a new language comes with many challenges, but a way to make it less strenuous and potentially even fun is to read. At the PVLA, we’re doing what we can to assist our students become as successful as possible, and the Book Club is another class to help them achieve their goals.