Aska Hokazono, a third grader from Japan, still has a hard time pronouncing the word "pill," but the progress she's made since she began her tutoring sessions with junior Jessica Woods has been extensive. Woods spends two evenings each week helping Hokazono learn English through the Literacy Volunteers program.
"I wanted to volunteer somewhere," said Woods. "I read about the Literacy Volunteers Program and it sounded really interesting."
Literacy Volunteers began 34 years ago to teach adults to read and write. Now, it has expanded to tutor adults and kids in basic literacy and English as a Second Language programs.
"Typically, volunteers must be 18 or older," said program director Lucy Smith. "Jessica is our only student volunteer, out of 75. As we develop our program (for) younger ages, the idea of someone who is in high school and can be an ambassador is appealing."
Beginning Oct. 2, Woods trained with Literacy Volunteers for four weeks, learning how to run drills and teach lessons in the "I Speak English" workbook, after which, she was matched with a student.
"They are paired up by practicality, logistics and personalities," said Smith. "When I'm training volunteers, I spend lots of time with them. I learn about their personalities and interest, and try to make a compatible match."
Hokazono is the first student with whom Woods has worked extensively. Every Tuesday and Thursday, they meet at Kalispell Junior High to read stories and work on grammar.
"We do the computer stories, and workbooks and verb tenses for the main part," said Hokazono. "It's fun because I can use the computer. It's my favorite."
"My favorite part is when Aska reads to me," said Woods. "She used to not be able to read and now she can. It's so fun knowing that you taught her and watching her develop."