Sepideh Khazeei was hard at work on a writing assignment. She had no problem with the essay topic, “Someone I would like to meet.” She chose an Iranian movie star. The trouble was, she couldn’t write it in Farsi, her native language.
The young Everett woman came here from Iran three years ago. Now taking an English as a second language class at Everett Community College, Khazeei is on her way to becoming a fluent English speaker.
“For me, the writing is hard,” she said Tuesday. She was in the right place to get help in finishing that assignment by today’s deadline.
Curt Smith, a volunteer tutor, was at her side at a table in EvCC’s Rainier Hall. The 80-year-old Mukilteo man devotes several hours twice each week to helping students through the college’s Volunteer Literacy Program.
Housed in Rainier Hall’s Room 112, the program is part of EvCC’s Bridges Center, which also provides English communication classes, career coaching and other student services.
“My job is to be a coach,” Smith said. A tutor for 13 years, he was a clergyman and later a management instructor before retirement. He has also tutored at Edmonds Community College and with WorkSource at Everett Station.
“It’s very rewarding, a chance to give back,” Smith said. “I truly enjoy helping students.”
Chan Beattie, who heads the Volunteer Literacy Program, is seeking more tutors to help in the next academic year. Ten volunteers are tutoring with the program this quarter. New tutors will receive free training before fall classes start in September, Beattie said.
An ideal volunteer would have teaching experience, patience and a sensitive awareness of different learning styles and cultures.
The Volunteer Literacy Program helps more than 500 adult students each year, according to Beattie and Katherine Schiffner, director of public relations at the college.
It’s part of EvCC’s Transitional Studies division, which along with English language learning includes high school completion and GED testing; basic reading, writing and math skills; and certificate programs in career fields, among them welding, assistant nursing, business technology, early childhood education, and pre-employment skills in manufacturing.
Sergio Huacuja, a 22-year-old EvCC student, has worked in the Volunteer Literacy Program since last fall. “Most students come here regarding writing. It’s difficult for them,” said Huacuja, who was 7 when he came to the United States from Mexico. “I know I used to struggle.”
He now writes for The Clipper, EvCC’s student newspaper, and aims for a career in communications.
At another table, volunteer tutor Audrae Coury, 73, sat with Simerjit Kaur. A native of India, the young woman has been here almost six years.
Coury, a retired English as a second language teacher, lives in Big Sky, Montana, but spends part of the year in Everett. At EvCC, she has worked with students from all over the world. Along with individual tutoring, she takes part in Monday “ESL Conversation Cafe” gatherings, where students chat about their homelands and cultures.
On Tuesday, Kaur and Coury were reading from a book of essays, “This I Believe II.” The collection features the thoughts of 75 well known and not-so-famous Americans, among them cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pro skateboarder Tony Hawk, and Sister Helen Prejean, a champion of abolishing the death penalty.
In flawless English, Kaur said her language skills have advanced to the point that this summer she’ll start regular college classes at EvCC. “I’m nearly ready,” she said.
Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460; jmuhlstein@heraldnet.com.
Tutors needed
Everett Community College’s Volunteer Literacy Program needs volunteers to tutor adult learners two or more hours per week in reading, writing, basic math and English-language skills. For orientation and training dates or more information, contact Chan Beattie: 425-388-9085 or cbeattie@everettcc.edu
The program offers drop-in help 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday in Rainier Hall Room 112 on the EvCC campus, 2000 Tower St., Everett.
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