Learner's Story

We have a poem written by Ella Avaguimin, from Montreal, Quebec. Ella is originally from Russia, and she emigrated to Canada to start a new life.

Life
by Ella Avaguimin

I’d like to tell about my immigration to Canada.
When I just arrived in Montreal
I thought how great everything was.
I liked all the things around me.
My mood was perfect.
But then I got into the world,
Where people were cold, strange
And careless about anything.
And I had a lot of problems.
Because, it was not my country
And I didn’t know the language.
And my mood slowly went down.
My life, at one time pink and white
In colour became black and grey.
But I have hope,
I just need time.
And everything will be all right

[This poem was taken with permission, from Something on My Mind, An Anthology of Poems by students at the High School of Montreal]

And, Among The Winners Were...

The battle for world literacy is too often a story of unsung heroes. That’s one reason the NALD newsletter will bring to you on a regular basis a list of those individuals, programs and organizations honoured with international, national and provincial recognition for outstanding work in the global literacy initiative.

International

UNESCO Literacy Research Award - 1998-99 Recipient : “Why Eat Green Cucumbers at the Time of Dying?” - a study on Women’s Literacy sponsored by the Government of Canada and the French governmental literacy agency Groupe permanent de Lutte contre l´Illettrisme, and supervised by UNESCO and the UNESCO Institute for Education (UIE), author, Anna Robinson-Pant of the United Kingdom.

Provincial

Alberta
Alberta Association for Continuing Education (AACE) Lifelong Learning Award - 1999 Recipients: Beryl Ballhorn, Community Learning Council, Wetaskiwin & Area; Rollie Seville, Advanced Education & Career Development Alberta - Edmonton

Ontario
ABEA Literacy Awards - Hamilton Wentworth - 1999 Recipients:
- Adult Learner’s Literacy Award: Janette Whitham - Marty Karl Centre
- Ken Cross Individual Literacy Award (to a volunteer in literacy & adult education): Kathleen Clements - Hamilton & District Literacy Council
- Spectator Literacy Award (to a business or labour organization): CUPE Local 5 and the City of Hamilton
- Excellence in Teaching Award (to a teacher/instructor in adult literacy/basic education): Gwen Marsh - Briarwood Adult Learning Centre, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board

Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Literacy Foundation Awards of Merit - 1999 Recipients:
Program/Project category: Reaching the Rainbow – Aboriginal Literacy in Canada (through Parkland Regional College, Yorkton)
Corporate/Associations category: Saskatchewan Literacy Network
Professional category: Pat Colpitts, SARAW, Neil Squire Foundation,
Regina Volunteer category: Lisa Vargo (tutor and READ Saskatoon Board member, Secretary SLN Board, member of Saskatoon Literacy Coalition, member of organizing committee SLF Word Whiz)
Learners category: Carey Rigby, READ Saskatoon learner and Roger Spetz, SIAST Kelsey learner

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Literacy for the ESL Classroom Quest for a New Aboriginal Literacy ...
Networks Datebook Hope for Learners with a Mental Illness
Teaching Tips Workplace Literacy at High Liner Foods
The Literacy Bookshelf Regional Tidbits
Learner's Corner Learner's Story
Among the Winners Were... Websites