National Adult Literacy Database

October 25, 2004

This week, we have a story written by Rose Henry, from Victoria, BC. All through her life, Rose always knew how important getting a good education was. Throughout her school years from kindergarten to Grade 12, she struggled with English. She knew that she would have to deal with this subject if she was going to continue on to college. She managed to put it off until 2003 when she found herself out of work and not knowing what she wanted to do for employment. Rose had a GED with a Grade 10 equivalent when she left high school over 20 years ago. When she decided to enroll in the Victoria READ Society in November, she had to overcome her biggest fear, English. The staff were very kind and understanding. Six months later, she has started writing her autobiography and has since put it on the Internet. She is now reading and writing at a grade 11+ level and is planning on transferring to college with a career in mind. To view Rose's personal website, please click here : http://rosehenry.blogspot.com.

Rose's Story

by Rose Henry

All through my life I always knew how important getting a good education was.

Throughout my entire education (K-12) I struggled with English. I knew that I would have to deal with this subject if I was going to continue on to college. I managed to put it off until 2003 when I found myself out of work and not knowing what I wanted to do for employment. It seemed like everywhere I applied for work the company Çe required that its applicants have a grade 12 or equivalent, or a certificate specializing in a career. I only had a GED with a grade 10 English level when I left high school over twenty years ago.

When I decided to enter the READ Society in November, I had to overcome my biggest fear, English.

The staff were very kind and understanding. The instructor encouraged me to return when I felt that I could write the test. I told her a little more about what I considered my special needs. I really felt that I had been heard when I did return and they had made sure that I was feeling safe and comfortable on the day that I was doing my test. After I had done my test the instructor informed me that I was reading and writing at a very low grade level but my vocabulary was at a high second year college level.

Six months later I have started writing my autobiography and have since put it on the Internet. I am now reading and writing at a grade 11+ level and am planning on transferring to college with a career in mind.

Some of the things that I have found that work for me while I have attended the Victoria READ Society have been the flexibility of each teacher and their teaching style, the one-on-one support that each of us students receives and the size of each class. These factors may not be major for most people but they are for people with very special needs.

[This story was taken with permission, from the Victoria READ Society Annual Report 2003-2004.]