The $10 Challenge

Photo by Engin Akyurt

Having $10 is both exciting and frustrating. It’s enough to get some nice things, but not enough to get some really nice things.

If you have $10, here are some meals you can buy:

• McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
• Burger King Double Whopper Meal
• Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla Combo
• Subway Turkey and Ham Sandwich

If you’re at the grocery store, there is a list of items you can get (although, that list is currently shrinking). Some of these items include:

• Eggs
• Flour
• Hamburger
• Rice or Ramen noodles
• Margarine
• Milk
• Potatoes
• Salt
• 1 or 2 cans of tuna

If you happen to be a coffee drinker and like to visit Starbucks, there are some drinks you can get for under $10, including:

• Iced coffee – black or with a splash of milk
• Espresso Macchiato
• Iced tea
• Hot chocolate
• Regular coffee
• Steamed milk
• Espresso con Panna

If you’d rather spend your $10 on stuff instead of food, here are somethings you might consider buying from Amazon:

Cleaning gel for hard to reach places – no one wants a dirty keyboard, and this can make cleaning it super quick and easy! Plus, the gel is fun to play with.

A desk fan – keeps you cool while you work!

 A positive potato – because sometimes you need to be reminded that you are an amazing human being!

 A manicure set – you should always look your best, and this can be taken on the go!

Make an Impact

Of course, these are just a few options of what $10 can get you, and (most) of them aren’t terrible. So, $10 is enough for the basics, but not enough for the luxuries.

However, if you’d like your $10 to make an impact, you might consider donating to the Columbus Area United Way (CAUW). It’s not too much or too little, and yet it’s going to have a huge impact.

If you didn’t know, for every $1 donated to the CAUW, there is a $6 impact on the community. That means that your $10 donation could turn into $60!

And the PVLA isn’t the only organization that benefits. There are 14 other partner agencies that use CAUW dollars to provide services to members of the Columbus community.

It’s your $10, and you can do with it what you will. However, my challenge to you is to “spend” that $10 in a way that is not only going to make you feel really good, but is also going to help members of the community.

Donate today!

August Class Attendance

The new semester of classes started at CCC and PVLA in the middle of July.  However, with a full month of school now under our belt, we thought you might be interested in knowing how many students attended classes during the month of August. 

PVLA Class Attendance 

When it comes to PVLA class attendance, the numbers break down as follows: 

• Book Club – meets on Thursdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm – averaged 8 students per class
  
  

• Citizenship – meets on Mondays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm – averaged 4 students per class
  
  

• Introductory ESL – meets on Thursdays from 12:00 to 1:00 pm – averaged 6 students per class
  
  

• Integration – meets on Saturdays from 10:00 to 11:00 am – averaged 8 students per class 
  
  

• Conversational English on Tuesdays from 5:00 to 6:00 pm – averaged 6 students per class
• Conversational English on Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:00 pm – averaged 7 students per class
• Conversational English on Fridays from 9:00 to 10:00 am – averaged 8 students per class

CCC Class Attendance

For CCC classes, attendance breaks down as follows:

• Morning 1/2 class – meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 to 11:00 am – 15 students
• Evening 1/2 class – meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm – 32 students 
  
  

• Morning 3/4 class – meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 to 11:00 am – 30 students
• Evening 3/4 class – meets on Monday and Wednesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm – 37 students 
  
  

• Morning 5/6 class – meets on Tuesdays and Thursday from 9:00 to 11:00 am – 14 students
• Evening 5/6 class – meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm – 17 students 
  
  

• Morning GED – meets Tuesday through Thursday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm – 5 students
• Evening GED – meets Monday through Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm – 9 students

Good Attendance Leads to Success

We are so excited to see so many students enrolling and attending!  The more exposure an individual gets to their lesson, the greater their success—whether they are learning English or preparing for the high school equivalency exam.

CCC may not be enrolling anymore students at the moment, but the PVLA is always open.  Taking a PVLA class not only exposes individuals to the English language, but it also prepares them for future English classes.  By attending Book Club or one of the conversational English classes, students can get a head start in their studies.

For more information about PVLA and/or CCC classes, please fill out the form on the right-hand side of this blog, send an email to pvlacolumbusne @ yahoo.com (don’t forget to remove the spaces!), or call 402-562-1463.

Why Aren’t Conversational Spanish Classes Free?

 

Photo by Pixabay

If you know anything about the PVLA, it may be that the classes we offer are free. Which means it may come as a surprise to see that there is a fee associated with the conversational Spanish classes.

Keep reading to find out why we charge for this particular class.

Languages Spoken in the U.S.

English is the most prominent language spoken in the U.S. In an article from the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2019, 241 million people spoke English, while 67.8 million spoke another language.

Spanish is the second-most spoken language in America, with an estimated 42 million people speaking this language.

Other languages spoken in the U.S. include Chinese (3+ million), Tagalog (2 million), Vietnamese (2 million), and Arabic (1+ million). There are, of course, other languages spoken, but these are the most prominent—although they are not as widely spoken as English or Spanish.

Learning Another Language is a Luxury

There may be other languages spoken in the U.S., but there is an expectation that once someone moves here, they will integrate and learn how to speak English.

Immigrants are expected to adapt to the established ways of life in this country, so learning how to speak the most populous language becomes survival. That’s why we offer ESL classes for free—we want to ensure New Americans have the skills and knowledge they need to thrive and survive in their new home.

Of course, knowing how to speak another language is incredibly beneficial. Having Spanish-speaking (or other language) skills can be super helpful when dealing with all members of the community, but it’s not a necessity.

As harsh as it sounds, it’s a luxury to learn another language. Being bilingual is a superpower, but knowing English is a requirement. That’s why we charge for our conversational Spanish classes.

Where Does the Money Go?

In addition to wondering why the conversational Spanish classes cost, you may be curious where the money goes. The fee that is charged for tutoring sessions is used to pay the tutor. 

Here at the PVLA, we feel that not only is your time valuable, but so is our Spanish tutors’. We want to make sure they are being compensated for passing on their knowledge and skills to members of the community.

The PVLA does not make any profit from what it charges for the conversational Spanish sessions. All of the money goes directly to the instructors.

Learn Spanish on Your Schedule

Making the decision to learn another language is advantageous, and it ensures that you’ll be able to communicate with a wide range of community members in the Columbus area. Whether you’re a business owner or just really like people, there is something to be gained from working with a PVLA Spanish tutor.

If you’re ready to sign up for classes or have more questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Union Pacific Supports Adult Education with $10,000 Community Ties Giving Program Grant

The Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program recently awarded the Platte Valley Literacy Association (PVLA) a $10,000 grant to support adult education.

“Local grants have the power to create meaningful change within the communities our tracks touch,” says Beth Whited, Union Pacific President and Union Pacific Foundation President. “We are proud to partner with nonprofit organizations who are making an impact on the future—creating safer places for children and families; bringing economic prosperity to communities; building vibrant, inclusive areas for people to thrive; and instilling sustainable practices.”

Goals of the Union Pacific Grant

Throughout its existence, the success of Union Pacific’s business has been inextricably linked to the economic and community wellbeing of cities and towns across the nation. They take pride in knowing that they have helped communities thrive and believe the impact they have on local communities is the greatest when the support is authentic to Union Pacific’s history and reflects the diverse company they are today.

The railroad carefully aligns its local grants cause areas to the company’s unique strengths, heritage and assets. They prioritize funding for direct services and efforts that build organizational capacity focused on causes within their local operating communities. Within the specific focus areas, Union Pacific aims to support organizations and programs that strive to advance the diversity, equity and inclusion of underrepresented populations within the local areas and address issues that need to be resolved.

What the Grant Means for the PVLA

“Being awarded a grant from the Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program is absolutely astounding,” says Jessica Wiig, PVLA executive director. “The work we do empowers our students to achieve great things beyond the classroom, and this grant from Union Pacific makes us feel not only like valued members of the Columbus community, but a larger community as well—one that is served by the UP—and that is humbling and inspiring.”

The PVLA has been proudly serving the Columbus, Nebraska, area for several decades as a United Way Agency. Their goal is to meet the educational needs of individuals in the community. They partner with the Central Community College Adult Education program to further increase educational opportunities in the area and help students gain the necessary skills to be successful in life. The funds granted to the PVLA by the Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program will be used to resolve barriers to employment.

There are a lot of opportunities available in Columbus, and people come to the area to see if they can obtain their piece of the American pie. However, for some, there are obstacles that stand in the way. Whether that encumbrance is not speaking English, not knowing how to find jobs, or not having the right status to apply for a specific job, the PVLA is here to help.

This grant ensures that the PVLA will be able to provide high-quality instructors, equipment and materials that can help students achieve their dreams within the classroom and beyond, providing them with opportunities, skills and knowledge so that they can apply for and obtain higher paying jobs to support themselves and their families.

How We Spent the Funds from Cruise & Associates

 

You may recall that back in August, Cruise & Associates held a bowling fundraiser for the PVLA. They were able to raise $1,000, and that money was used to buy books, CDs, and CD players for our students.

Why Buy Books and CDs?

Having access to both CDs and print books can be incredibly beneficial to language learners because it will enhance their language acquisition.

While listening to the text and following along in the book, a student will be exposed to intonation, native speech patterns, and correct pronunciation. In addition, listening and reading can help them understand nuances of the English language, as well as expand their vocabulary and comprehension.

However, the skills go beyond language learning.

Listening to the audio version of the text and reading along in a print book boost reading comprehension, which can be incredibly beneficial for those studying for GED exams. 

Reading and listening simultaneously engages multiple parts of the brain, and the multisensory experience can reinforce an individual’s understanding of the material, making it easier for them to comprehend intricate plotlines or complex concepts.

Why Not Make Audiobooks Available?

While access to audiobooks is beneficial, the monthly fee in addition to the cost of purchasing the book can be out of reach for many of our students, as well as the PVLA. 

Instead, by offering them CDs and CD players, they’ll have access to our library of books, giving them the ability to listen and read at their leisure without having to download apps, worry about fees, or stress about draining their phone battery.

What Kinds of Books Did the PVLA Buy?

Since every student has different preferences when it comes to reading materials, we are offering a variety of book options. From fiction (including horror, literary, and classics) to nonfiction (memoirs and historical), students will be able to find something they’ll enjoy listening to.

Not only will they be able to improve their language skills and reading comprehension, but they’ll also learn about the world in which they live through the perspective of a wide range of authors and characters.

Why Did the PVLA Buy Those Particular Books?

While classroom learning is beneficial in helping non-native speakers learn English, it can get boring. To keep individuals interested and engaged, giving them access to stories is essential. Sometimes, when it doesn’t feel like a lesson, that’s when people absorb the most information. If a student can be entertained, they may be more inclined to keep learning.

Learning a new language is challenging—especially if you’re attempting this feat as an adult. While not impossible, there are many obstacles that need to be overcome. When it comes to learning English, one of the best ways to get a grasp on the language is to be able to see the words on the page and hear them being spoken.

Being exposed to and immersed in a new language is imperative, but once a person leaves the classroom, they may not find themselves around English speakers, which can make it even harder to learn the language. A solution to this problem would be for individuals to be able to check out a CD player and book that they can take anywhere and everywhere.

Without the generosity of Cruise & Associates, we wouldn’t be able to offer these resources to our students. Not only do we hope they learn something by reading the books we have to offer, but—most importantly—we hope they enjoy the experience.