STDL • ESL Newsletter - June to August 2007 •

At Schaumburg Townhip District Library

130 S. Roselle Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60193 Phone (847) 985-4000

Read To Learn class will have registration and testing at the first class scheduled for Monday, Sept. 17th, 2007 in the Rasmussen Room on the second floor of the library. Learn how to read and write in English. You will work with a volunteer tutor who will help you each Monday for 10 weeks. This class is funded through the Illinois Secretary of State Literacy Office. A $10 student donation for materials would be appreciated.

Beginning Level ESL

English As A Second Language (ESL) classes, are taught by High School District 211 Continuing Education Programs at the library. These classes are FREE.

ESL Beginning Level class will have registration and testing on Tuesday, Aug. 28. The test starts promptly at 9:30 a.m. in the classroom located on the second floor of the library. The test takes about 1 hour. This class meets every Tuesday and Thursday for 12 weeks. The first class will be on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007. Your test score results will determine if you will have class in the morning or afternoon. The morning class meets from 9:15 a.m. till 11:45 a.m. and the afternoon class meets from 12:30 p.m. till 3 p.m.

ESL Intermediate Level class will have registration and testing on Monday, Aug. 27. The test starts promptly at 9:30 a.m. in the classroom located on the second floor of the library. The test takes about 1 hour. This class meets every Monday and Wednesday for 12 weeks. The first class will be Monday, Sept. 10, 2007. Your test score results will determine if you will have class in the morning or afternoon. The morning class meets from 9:30 a.m. till noon and the afternoon class meets from 12:30p.m. till 3:00 p.m.

Computer Assisted Programs - Free

Using the computer is a fun way to learn English. Even if you don't know how to use a computer, we'll teach you how. It's easy and you will be very happy with the programs that help you with reading, spelling, grammar and idioms. You can even record your voice and compare it to the speaker on the computer program. The computer lab is open every Monday morning from 9:30 till Noon when we will teach you how to use the interactive programs. You may study in the lab independently on the other weekday mornings from 9:30 till Noon. There is no registration. Just come to the lab and see what may help you with your English skills.

The library has a special collection of books, books with cassettes, videos, DVDs and CD-ROMs in the Literacy Collection located on the second floor of the library to your right when you get off the elevator. These materials will help you learn English. Many of the books have answers in the front or back of the book. You can't write in these books but you can use other paper to write out your answers. Then check your work by looking at the answer key. Many people don't have time to go to classes so these books will help you learn on your own at home. Learning a new language takes a lot of time. Save some time each day to study with these special materials.

During the summer you may want to come to the library and relax and read. On the second floor you will find many magazine on many topics. You may enjoy reading magazines about cooking, sports or current events. The stories are never very long and they will be a test of your vocabulary. Remember that magazines and newspapers may not go out of the library. You must read them in the library and leave them there.

Memorial Day starts the official summer season. This holiday is celebrated on the last Monday of May. This holiday began in the 1860,s to mark the end of the US Civil War (between the northern and souther states). Groups of women in the South visited the graves of soldiers who had died during the war. This idea soon spread to the North and today we honor all soldiers who have died in all the wars. Schools and businesses will be closed and families will enjoy the long weekend with friends and relatives. We don't give gifts or send cards on this holiday.

Father's Day will be celebrated on the third Sunday in June (this year it will be on June 17). Families will honor their fathers by celebrateing with a picnic, barbecue or dinner out at a favorite restaurant. Cards and gifts are given to show our love and respect for these speical dads.

The most patriotic holiday is the 4th of July. The day is celebrated on whenever day it falls on during the week (this year its on a Wednesday). Picnics and cookouts are very popular. Everywhere you look you will see red, white and blue, the colors of the American flag. Almost all towns and cities will have a 4th of July parade. In the evening most communities will have a fireworks display. Some communities will have festivals that includes carnival rides, arts and craft shows and musical entertainment.

Each month we have something to celebrate. Join in and enjoy yourself.

If you enjoy picking your own fruit and vegetables, here's a website that will give you dates, locations and dirctions to the farms or orchards. It's www.pickyourown.org/ILchicago.htm Strawberries will be ready in June. The McCann Berry Farm in Woodstock, IL is close to our area. Go to mtmccann@mc.net for directions picking dates.

Taste of Roselle

Roselle is a neighboring town. The Taste of Roselle will be Friday, Aug. 4th, Saturday, Aug. 5th and Sunday Aug. 6th. You'll enjoy food from many local restaurants along with a craft fair, carnival, a magic show plus live entertainment each day. Go to www.roselle.il.us/news/currenteventstaste.html for details.

Hoffman Estates Unity Day

Enjoy Unity Day at the Virginia Mary Hayter Village Green located on Prairie Stone Parkway off Route 72 on Saturday June, 16th from 9 am till 1 pm. Share in a continental breakfast, the Unity Walk, ethnic food and entertainment and activities for the whole family. Go to www.hoffmanestates.com and click on the Citizen Newsletter for all the information about a great program that brings people together to share their culture, food and showcase their special songs and dances from around the world. Free Unity Day tee shirts will be given to the first 150 participants.

4th of July Festival

You will also find information about the July 4th festivities at the Hoffman Estates Village grounds in the Citizen Newsletter. You'll be able to attend the Arts and Craft fair the weekend before on June 30th and July 1st. The July 4th festivities will begin on Wednesday the 4th with the parade in the morning and continue through Sunday, July 8 with so many fun things to do each day. The children will love the petting zoo and carnival rides. Adults will enjoy the entertainment in the evenings and, of course, fireworks on Saturday evening at 10 pm..

If you enjoy buying fresh vegetables, flowers and homemake items, come to the Farmer's Market held each Friday morning from 7:30 am till 1pm. starting June 15th. and continuing until September.

Take some time to visit one of the local county fairs. You'll get to see the rural side of American life. You can look up Illinois County Fairs on the internet and pick a few to attend. Some will have a small admission fee but others will be free except for admission tickets to the entertainment offered in the evenings. Carnival rides will also require the purchase of tickets. Here's a website for the DuPage County Fair that's close to us. www.dupagecountyfair.org

Pat Barch, Literacy Coordinator