-
Updated On: 10/6/2006
Author: LIZZA LOPEZ and GRACE MAALOUF -

Five years ago, Dr. Randy Wood was working with a group of his students who were tutoring kids at University Middle School.

In talking to the children there, he found that 92 percent of them came from families that couldn't read, write or speak English. So Wood, professor of education, and Dr. Robin Rogers, professor of social work and director of Baylor's Center of Literacy, decided to create the Learning English Among Friends program to help parents and other adults in the community improve their English language skills.

"This program is really about family literacy," Rogers said. "We encourage parents to work with their children."

Since the fall of 2003, LEAF has been held every Thursday at Cesar Chavez Middle School and drawn about 150 participants.

The program expanded to Carver Middle School about two weeks ago and is starting at University Middle School, Brazos Middle School, Lake Air Middle School, Tennyson Middle School and Waco High School later this semester.

Allen Ware, the program's coordinator, said hopes to see the program grow even more in the Waco community.

"I want to see this being planted in as many places as possible and see its roots grow strong," Ware said.

Dr. Fred Loa, professor of Spanish and a LEAF volunteer, said the program's location helps parents become more familiar and comfortable with their children's learning environment.

"If there's an issue with the kids at school, they come in and talk to administrators," Loa said. "They're no longer afraid of this place."

The success of LEAF at Cesar Chavez Middle School prompted student government, Baylor Housekeeping Services and Baylor School of Education to join forces and start LEAF at Baylor in 2004.

"We've implemented the classes into the workday for our housekeepers," Jose Castro, assistant director of housekeeping said. Housekeepers interested in being tutored by Baylor students are surveyed and placed in small groups according to language level.

Castro said the group size is one of the best things about the program, since it helps students and employees build close relationships. This in turn helps the housekeepers become more comfortable and feel more confident about learning the language, Castro said.

As extra motivation to participate in the program, the housekeepers get paid while they're in class, Castro said.

This semester, more than 40 housekeepers have signed up for the program.

Maria Tello, a housekeeper from Guanajuato, Mexico, is new to the program. She's lived in the United States for three years and worked at Baylor for two.

"I want to be able to ask the students how their day is going," Tello said in Spanish. "I want, more than anything, to be able to speak two languages."

Allan Marshall, external vice president, has made the program one of his priorities.

"The housekeepers do such a big service for us," Marshall said. "We're blessed to have them there to do that."

Marshall said hopes student tutors will return the service by being fully committed to the program. Ware agrees.

"The backbone of the program is people who are willing to dedicate that time," Ware said.

Scott Perez, a New Braunfels senior, has been volunteering with LEAF at Baylor since it began.

"It's been good to see the ladies really learn and be able to say simple words like pencil or paper," Perez said. "You don't get paid, but it's still rewarding to see them smile."

Ware said 20 volunteers are needed to staff classes projected to start in mid-October.