A Family Learning Center with a special emphasis on Career Exploration for Teens formally opened on January 25, 2012 at the Biblioteca Latinoamericana. This new center is the fifth to operate within the San Jose Public Library system. The four other Family Learning Centers are located at Tully, Hillview, Alum Rock and East Carnegie Library branches. The Family Learning Center is the recipient of a grant from the Leo M. Shortino Family Foundation to establish a center within the Biblioteca.

The Family Learning Center programs focus on adult literacy, reading classes for elementary students and career exploration for teens. The ESL classes held at the center are taught by a certified ESL teacher.  A special collection of ESL materials, computers, and software enhance the various classes and workshops offered.  FLC offerings support the Latino population, youth at risk, underachieving youth, and new Americans.  All programs are free and open to the public.

KimNhung Nguyen, Senior Branch Manager for the Biblioteca and East Carnegie brings a wealth of experience to the Family Learning Center, previously managing a successful FLC at Hillview library. Cris Johnson, FLC coordinator will assist in promoting and presenting the programs.

ESL Conversation Club at Tully Library provides me with a great opportunity to meet people from all over the world and to learn new cultures and traditions.  People love to come to this class to learn English even though they might have registered in a regular ESL class elsewhere.  Students love to share their life stories with the class and make friends in the process.  I enjoy listening to life immensely as life is unfolded in front of me.

If you have loved ones who need to learn English and who are still on waiting list at the Adult Education Center for an ESL class , you might want to refer them to the ESL Conversation Club at Tully Library.  They will not only improve their English skills, they will also make friends with other classmates from around the world.  We meet every Wednesday, from 5-6 p.m.

If you enjoy teaching ESL, volunteering at Tully Library/tully or your local library will be a great way to share your skills!  Teaching resources are bountiful online, and one of my favorite links  this week is: www.teaching-esl-to-adults.com.  It contains lesson plans, teacher duties, ESL worksheets for Beginners. Intermediate, and Advanced students, ESL textbook evaluation pages, and much more.  Please check it out!