Newspaper Article – Not too good on reading

Not too good on reading . . .

“I’m not too good on reading” is the most common introduction a Napier woman, Mrs Rosalie Sommerville, has with her future pupils – but that short sentence says a lot.

It is the beginning of a new life for most callers who, until they pick up the telephone can not read and probably also can not write.

Mrs Sommerville is one of 51 tutors in Hawke’s Bay working with adult. non-readers. She was the main force behind the establishment of a university extension course-for tutors.

From the unique course, first held in 1974 for seven tutors, came the nucleus group which today caters for 53 adult non-readers.

Since 1974, further courses have been held and more recently these have been run at the Hawke’s Bay Community College.

ONE-TO-ONE

Working on a one-to-one basis and “caring” are the only basic ingredients for tutoring, Mrs Sommerville said. It is of course, necessary to attend a training course before students can be assigned.

A survey of adult non-readers in the district shows men outnumber women by almost two to one. The main group being between 15 and 19 years of age.

“But we have several pupils in the 50-plus age group,” Mrs Sommerville said.

While it is dangerous to generalise, a general pattern appears among adult non-readers. They were classed as slow learners at school with a low output expectancy.

“They just got through school,” she said.

Pupils range from those who completed their schooling being able only to write their names, to those who realise they need a greater understanding of language for higher education.

Lessons are held where and when it suits. In private homes, the YMCA complex in Latham Street, even in Cathedral offices.

“The most important initial step is to match up our students and tutors. They must suit each other and have good rapport,” Mrs Sommerville said.

Recently the tutors have conducted lessons in English for people from countries where English is not spoken.

Among the group of eight are Samoans, Lebanese, Maltese and Chinese.

“None is literate in their own language, so this creates an additional difficulty,” Mrs Somerville said.

Few Maori non-readers have come forward, she added.

Readers come to tutors in many ways – by word of mouth, through other students and through referral from such agencies as the probation service.

OWN SPEED

They are taught at their own speed and-in their own way. If they wish to learn to write they. are taught this skill also. There are no examinations, no pressures and no class work.

Teaching is never rushed and the usual period of tuition would be three years and more, Mrs Sommerville said.

The adult non-reading tutors now work on a voluntary basis and provide a free service.

“We are hoping we may be taken under the wing of the Hawke’s Bay Community College in. the near future,” Mrs Sommerville said.