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Frequently Asked Questions What is the council's mission? Why is the program successful? How long does it take? Is the program suitable for children who are having reaading problems? How is the council funded? What is an ESL program? If the student speaks another language, how do student and tutor communicate? How much does it cost to train a student? Who can become a tutor? What about confidentiality? How can I reach the council? What is illiteracy? How many adults are illiterate? What does illiteracy cost? What are the results of illiteracy? What can be done about illiteracy? What is the council's mission? It is our intent to teach any adult who wants to and who is capable to read. We will train tutors to use the Laubach Way to Reading program. We will inform the community of the problem of illiteracy. Back to top Why is the program successful? Mainly because of attitude. Our goal is to teach - not scold or preach. The students are highly motivated. The tutors really want to do the job; they want their students to succeed. The program is highly structured, but delivered at an individualized rate geared to the student's ability to assimilate the concepts. One-on-one instruction encourages feelings of mutual respect and allows the tutor to spend time where necessary. There is no predetermined rate of progress. Back to top How long does it take? The length of study depends on the student's goals and willingness to work hard. Most students work for 2 to 3 years, meeting with the tutor twice each week for an hour to and hour and a half at each session. However, students sometimes take time off because they have children our of school or because of home problems. Back to top Is the program suitable for children who are having reaading problems? No. It is assumed that the student brings adult experiences and vocabulary to the program. Reading selections and activities are based on daily adult experiences. The method goes from known words, phrases, and sounds to the unknown. Back to top How is the council funded? Our operating budget is provided by cash donations from local civic-minded individuals, service groups, businesses, and corporations. Donations in kind, such as the office space and tutoring area at the David A. Glosser Memorial Library Building help us expand our service. The Johnstown community has been very supportive. The Council does not receive state or federal funds. Back to top What is an ESL program? There are many adults in Johnstown for whom English is not the language spoken at home. These people need help learning to speak, read, and write English. They are often good students in their own language, are usually highly motivated, and progress quickly. Back to top If the student speaks another language, how do student and tutor communicate? Usually the student can speak some English; they need practice. THe Laubach Way to English is a program that uses illustrations to help the communication process. Using pictures, gestures, and intuition, tutors and students frequently find rapport. These students generally make good progress, even though English is a difficult language to master. Back to top How much does it cost to train a student? It costs approximately $150 per student per year. This covers the cost of materials, workbooks, and texts. Tutors volunteer over 2,000 hours of tutoring each year. Materials are provided, without charge, to the student and the tutor. Back to top Who can become a tutor? Tutors must be good readers who have a high school diploma and want to work with people. They must take the 14-hour Laubach Way to Reading workshop sponsored by the Council. These workshops are scheduled each spring and fall. Tutors must be willing to deliver the program, yet be flexible working with students. They must remember that these students are adults who have other demands even as they work to improve their reading ability. Back to top What about confidentiality? Only four people know who is receiving instruction: the person who sets the original interview, the person who does the interview and assessment, the tutor, and the student. We do not release information about a student without written permission. Back to top How can I reach the council? The Council Office is on the first floor of the David A. Glosser Memorial Library Building in the mail lobby area. Generally, the office is staffed by volunteers on weekday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The tutoring room is open during regular library hours. The telephone number is 814-539-3791. An answering machine serves callers when the office is not staffed. Back to top What is illiteracy? Illiteracy is the inability of a person to read and/or write well enough to meet daily needs. Back to top How many adults are illiterate? In Cambria County 1 out of 5 adults has difficulty in reading. Of those adults who can read at all, 13% read below the 4th grade level. 3 out of 4 unemployed adults read with difficulty. 44% of American adults do not read one book a year. Children whose parents can't read are TWICE as likely as their peers to become illiterate. 2.2 million adults are added to the illiterate population in the U.S. each year. About 15 million adult workers are functionally illiterate. 60% of U.S. prison inmates cannot read. Back to top What does illiteracy cost? Adult inability to read costs you, the taxpayer, $20 million a year. Back to top What are the results of illiteracy? In a study of adults between the ages of 21 and 25: 80% couldn't read a bus schedule, 63% couldn't read map directions, 28% couldn't write a letter to correct a billing error, 73% couldn't understand a newspaper study, 23% couldn't find their gross pay-to-date on their pay stub. Adults who can't read: can't help their children with homework usually don't have bank accounts or use ATM machines may misuse medications because they can't read the directions on the container frequently have poor parenting skills because they can't find out how to do better. Back to top What can be done about illiteracy? Become a volunteer tutor. Provide financial support. Back to top

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the council's mission?
Why is the program successful?
How long does it take?
Is the program suitable for children who are having reaading problems?
How is the council funded?
What is an ESL program?
If the student speaks another language, how do student and tutor communicate?
How much does it cost to train a student?
Who can become a tutor?
What about confidentiality?
How can I reach the council?
What is illiteracy?
How many adults are illiterate?
What does illiteracy cost?
What are the results of illiteracy?
What can be done about illiteracy?

What is the council's mission?
It is our intent to teach any adult who wants to and who is capable to read. We will train tutors to use the Laubach Way to Reading program. We will inform the community of the problem of illiteracy.
Back to top

Why is the program successful?
Mainly because of attitude. Our goal is to teach - not scold or preach. The students are highly motivated. The tutors really want to do the job; they want their students to succeed. The program is highly structured, but delivered at an individualized rate geared to the student's ability to assimilate the concepts. One-on-one instruction encourages feelings of mutual respect and allows the tutor to spend time where necessary. There is no predetermined rate of progress.
Back to top

How long does it take?
The length of study depends on the student's goals and willingness to work hard. Most students work for 2 to 3 years, meeting with the tutor twice each week for an hour to and hour and a half at each session. However, students sometimes take time off because they have children our of school or because of home problems.
Back to top

Is the program suitable for children who are having reaading problems?
No. It is assumed that the student brings adult experiences and vocabulary to the program. Reading selections and activities are based on daily adult experiences. The method goes from known words, phrases, and sounds to the unknown.
Back to top

How is the council funded?
Our operating budget is provided by cash donations from local civic-minded individuals, service groups, businesses, and corporations. Donations in kind, such as the office space and tutoring area at the David A. Glosser Memorial Library Building help us expand our service. The Johnstown community has been very supportive. The Council does not receive state or federal funds.
Back to top

What is an ESL program?
There are many adults in Johnstown for whom English is not the language spoken at home. These people need help learning to speak, read, and write English. They are often good students in their own language, are usually highly motivated, and progress quickly.
Back to top

If the student speaks another language, how do student and tutor communicate?
Usually the student can speak some English; they need practice. THe Laubach Way to English is a program that uses illustrations to help the communication process. Using pictures, gestures, and intuition, tutors and students frequently find rapport. These students generally make good progress, even though English is a difficult language to master.
Back to top

How much does it cost to train a student?
It costs approximately $150 per student per year. This covers the cost of materials, workbooks, and texts. Tutors volunteer over 2,000 hours of tutoring each year. Materials are provided, without charge, to the student and the tutor.
Back to top

Who can become a tutor?
Tutors must be good readers who have a high school diploma and want to work with people. They must take the 14-hour Laubach Way to Reading workshop sponsored by the Council. These workshops are scheduled each spring and fall. Tutors must be willing to deliver the program, yet be flexible working with students. They must remember that these students are adults who have other demands even as they work to improve their reading ability.
Back to top

What about confidentiality?
Only four people know who is receiving instruction: the person who sets the original interview, the person who does the interview and assessment, the tutor, and the student. We do not release information about a student without written permission.
Back to top

How can I reach the council?
The Council Office is on the first floor of the David A. Glosser Memorial Library Building in the mail lobby area. Generally, the office is staffed by volunteers on weekday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The tutoring room is open during regular library hours. The telephone number is 814-539-3791. An answering machine serves callers when the office is not staffed.
Back to top

What is illiteracy?
Illiteracy is the inability of a person to read and/or write well enough to meet daily needs.
Back to top

How many adults are illiterate?
In Cambria County 1 out of 5 adults has difficulty in reading. Of those adults who can read at all, 13% read below the 4th grade level. 3 out of 4 unemployed adults read with difficulty. 44% of American adults do not read one book a year. Children whose parents can't read are TWICE as likely as their peers to become illiterate. 2.2 million adults are added to the illiterate population in the U.S. each year. About 15 million adult workers are functionally illiterate. 60% of U.S. prison inmates cannot read.
Back to top

What does illiteracy cost?
Adult inability to read costs you, the taxpayer, $20 million a year.
Back to top

What are the results of illiteracy?
In a study of adults between the ages of 21 and 25:
80% couldn't read a bus schedule,
63% couldn't read map directions,
28% couldn't write a letter to correct a billing error,
73% couldn't understand a newspaper study,
23% couldn't find their gross pay-to-date on their pay stub.

Adults who can't read:

can't help their children with homework
usually don't have bank accounts or use ATM machines
may misuse medications because they can't read the directions on the container
frequently have poor parenting skills because they can't find out how to do better.

What can be done about illiteracy?
Become a volunteer tutor. Provide financial support.
Back to top