Imagine not being able to talk to a neighbor, order food or ask questions at grocery stores, banks and everywhere else.

Overwhelming feelings of isolation creep into the lives of immigrants and refugees living in the United States, and thousands have been brought out of the dark by Plymouth Canton Literacy Council volunteer tutors.


Starting from scratch

Executive director Andrea Hug said sometimes the English language skills of clients are so depleted she has to draw pictures to communicate. It’s inspirational for the tutors to watch them come out of their shells. Some go on to take rigorous graduate school tests and others become fluent enough to study difficult information for U.S. citizenship.

CLC tutors typically meet with clients during one-on-one sessions in a public place, usually a library or restaurant. Clients can also participate in various CLC group settings Monday through Saturday, where they’re encouraged to converse.

“I had no idea of how many people in our community need help to communicate in English,” said Betsy Sole, who became a CLC tutor 10 years ago. “It is wonderful to hear how they eventually continue their education, get jobs that use their skills and become citizens who want to help others as they have been helped.”


Consider helping

CLC is looking for more tutors who are trained in sessions that will run in May and September. You must be at least 18, speak English and you have to “have a sense of humor,” Hug said. “The English language has a lot of crazy idioms and if you don’t laugh, you’re going to think it’s a burden.”

The clients come from all walks of life – many are engineers, dentists and doctors. Some are spouses or elderly parents who are home alone all day with no opportunities to communicate in English.

CLC began in 1985 at Starkweather High School in Plymouth’s Old Village by a teacher, Sharon Strean, and a principal, Carol Saunders. They noticed there were a lot of students in the English as a Second Language program and they decided to help.

“Then they realized they had a lot of parents who were here but weren’t able to work because they couldn’t communicate,” Hug said. “Part of the reason there’s such a great need is the automobile industry. There’s a huge influx of engineers. There’s also a lot of dentists and doctors and their families.”

Oftentimes, professionals have to return to school for needed accreditations in order to work.

“It can be a humbling experience, and it’s so rewarding when you do help somebody,” Hug said. “We all got here through immigrants. These people want a better life for their families. We want them to contribute to our community. We want people to go out and thrive.”

CLC typically has 160 tutors who work with 300 people annually. CLC tutors also help in the Plymouth-Canton Public Schools’ adult education classes.

Go to www.plymouthcantonliteracy.org for more information.