Literacy offers free ESL classes

NEWTON — Each week, when Sol Revelo meets tutor Cynthia Seamans at the Newton Presbyterian Church, she never knows where Seamans’ lesson will take her.
Although Revelo, an Ecuadorian immigrant, attends their tutoring sessions to learn English as a Second language, she and Seamans often talk about history, geography and business.
“Cynthia not only teaches me English,” said Revelo, 31, of Stanhope. “She knows everything that I ask. I learned a lot with her, and I still learning with her.”
For the last two years, Revelo has received free English tutoring through Literacy New Jersey, a statewide nonprofit organization that provides instruction in reading, writing, math and English as a Second Language (ESL) for adult learners. Revelo is one of more than 5,100 adults receiving tutoring and other services through the Literacy New Jersey network. Founded in 1979, Literacy New Jersey and its affiliates mobilize, train and support 2,000 volunteers who offer these services.
In addition to one-to-one tutoring, Literacy New Jersey offers free English classes at the Sparta Public Library.
“The need for adult literacy services in New Jersey, and across the country, can’t be underestimated,” Literacy New Jersey CEO Elizabeth Gloeggler said. “Nearly one in five New Jersey adults lacks the basic literacy skills needed for everyday tasks such as completing a job application, adding numbers for a bank deposit slip, or helping a child with homework.”
For Revelo, the free lessons have been vital to helping her navigate her new home.
“I was lost trying to find my way in a new country,” she said. Her lessons with Seamans have helped her read to her child, take classes at Sussex County Community College, be more active in her church, and join a moms’ group.
Revelo’s next goal is to continue her education. She has a degree in business administration from an Ecuadorian university and hopes to pursue a master’s degree in the United States.
Seamans, a retired educator from Stillwater, said she enjoys the challenge of tutoring, as well as the friendship.
“There is the intellectual challenge of working toward my student’s goals. This requires looking into a myriad of topics beyond the obvious vocabulary development and grammar application,” Seamans said. “And, perhaps selfishly, my life is enriched through our easy sharing of cultures, our laughter and appreciation of this complicated process of acquiring a new language.”
Revelo said she is grateful for Seamans’ time, dedication and compassion.
“My new tutor, she is like an angel for me,” she said.
To sign up for free English classes at the Sparta Public Library, contact Literacy New Jersey-Sussex at (973) 300-9444 or mscuralli@literacynj.org.