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Grammar, Reading, and English

by

Carroll, Kay

Author: Kay Carroll, Treasurer, Literacy Texas Board of Directors

Literacy. What did it mean to me as a student? 

Grammar, reading, and English.

Honestly, it was my most dreaded subject all the way through college (I had to pass my last English class to graduate college, and it was stressful)! Fast forward to now and all my family, friends and colleagues ask me (I’m the old version of ChatGPT) to proof and rephrase their business projects, policies, procedures, programs, trainings, resumes, and emails, due to my love of and skills in communication and writing.

In my eyes today, the definition of literacy has evolved – to reading a good book; reviewing, researching and writing business professional documents; communication and collaboration.

Though my career path has taken twists and turns that were not planned or expected, thankfully it led to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) of 1977, and it sparked my passion. I work for a bank in CRA and Community Development serving communities by ensuring all individuals and families have access to financial and essential services.

Volunteering with amazing organizations is my way of making the world a better place and giving back to the communities. During my time as a volunteer, it has brought joy and tears helping others, teaching classes and trainings around financial education from children to adult.

The truth is, making a livable wage today, providing for yourself and family, and sincerely feeling good about your ability to exist in our current daily life is a huge obstacle without the necessary skills of the Oxford Language Dictionary definition of literacy – “the ability to read and write”. That’s why Literacy Texas exists, a vital non-profit to elevate literacy across Texas and provide local non-profits the tools and resources to ensure boots on the ground in all communities whether urban or rural.

My heart breaks for moms, dads, grandparents, family and friends who don’t know what to do or where to turn during difficult times and enormous situations that arise. Having support to overcome obstacles is overlooked and undervalued today!

My grandson had difficulty learning to read, the frustration for him and his parents was crazy, tearful, and stressful. They were ignored, told he would be held back a grade (all the while making Bs on his report card, plus about a month before summer break); the school system he was in failed him and them terribly. You must be the advocate for yourself and your family members, reach out and find the correct path for you or a loved one – knowing there is light at the end of the tunnel if you don’t give up and strive for answers and help. I’m happy to say, he switched school districts (it wasn’t easy to get him accepted but his parents advocated and stood up for him) and he loves school, the teachers, and the kiddos, and his reading has improved beyond our wildest dreams in a short time; he’s exceling all the way around.

If you’re reading this and thinking, “Hey this is me or my situation,” I’m here to tell and assure you that many people care and want to give you a hand up. Lots of people around us are unsure where to go for guidance – be the guiding force, point them to a community organization, a new school, or perhaps just give an encouraging word with a smile.

“Reading is dreaming with open eyes.” ~ Anissa Trisdianty

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From Reading to Reality: Turning Literacy Into Livelihood

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This is a guest post by Southern Careers Institute, a 2025 Annual Conference sponsor.

For millions of Texans, mastering basic reading, writing, and numeracy is the first hard-won victory on the road to a better life. Roughly 4.8 million adults in the state still need some form of literacy education.

However, once adults build literacy skills, what comes next? How do newly literate Texans convert foundational skills into specialized expertise that puts food on the table?

Southern Careers Institute, a Texas-born career college with campuses from Brownsville to Austin and a growing roster of online options, exists to answer the question. Literacy opens the door to modern work, but employers hire for competence with specific tools, technologies, and regulations. SCI designs every program with that reality in mind.

Programs in healthcare, skilled trades, technology, and more embed industry vocabulary and document-heavy tasks (such as charting vital signs, interpreting wiring schematics, or troubleshooting cloud networks) into daily lab practice so that reading becomes doing.

Contextualized instruction turns comprehension into competence

Research shows that adults learn best when new information is tethered to immediate goals. SCI’s instructors, many of whom bring years of field experience, translate textbook language into job-site readiness the moment a lesson begins. In an HVAC classroom, for example, a vocabulary that includes “thermodynamics” and “refrigerant cycle” is paired with a lab assignment that requires students to read a pressure-temperature chart and adjust gauges on a live system. The reading comprehension built in earlier literacy classes now drives hands-on troubleshooting, and mistakes become teachable moments instead of barriers.

Healthcare programs follow the same pattern. Students study medical terminology one day and transcribe patient-intake notes the next, reinforcing spelling, abbreviations, and privacy regulations in real time. By weaving technical literacy into performance tasks, SCI helps adult learners internalize the specialized language employers expect without forcing them back into abstract theory alone.

Adult-friendly pacing and supports

Time and cost are chief concerns for adult learners who already juggle work and family. Most SCI programs can be completed in as little as five to fifteen months, depending on full- or part-time enrollment, so momentum from an adult-education milestone is not lost to multi-year detours.

Day and evening schedules, online formats, and career-services coaching reduce friction even further. SCI’s CareerHub job-matching tool lets students see Texas-wide openings mapped against the licenses or certifications each role requires, creating a clear line of sight from coursework to paycheck.

Employer alignment closes the skills gap

Texas businesses routinely cite a shortage of workers with soft skills and technical know-how. SCI maintains advisory boards of regional employers who preview curricula and suggest updates so that lessons stay current. Graduates are trained to sit for industry-recognized certifications and when appropriate train on advanced equipment their future supervisors already use, rather than relearning their skills from scratch on the job.

By the time an SCI student unwraps a diploma or certificate, the distance from literacy to livelihood has been reduced to a single step of applying for a new job.

Walking through the open door

Texas still has work to do before every adult reaches basic literacy, but thousands cross that threshold each year. SCI stands ready for the adults who built foundational skills, transforming the ability to read about opportunity into specialized training. For adults who have already proven they can learn, the next lesson is simple: specialized skills are within reach, and the classroom is designed for the lives they already lead.

Adults ready to take their next step towards a new career should visit scitexas.edu

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The Power of Connection: Strengthening English Learning Nationwide

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By Rachel Fuchs, Intercambio Director of Product Sales and National Network

Originally published March 24, 2025 | Updated for Literacy Texas

At Intercambio, Connection Drives Everything We Do

Based in Colorado, Intercambio is a national nonprofit that builds meaningful connections and stronger communities through English education. All our programming stems from the belief that shared learning experiences and authentic relationships break down barriers, build confidence, and foster inclusion. While our day-to-day focus is often on supporting one-on-one connections between our 500+ local English learners and their teachers, our national team is focused on expanding that same spirit of connection at the organizational level – ultimately reaching tens of thousands more.

Launching the Intercambio Network

That vision became the foundation of the Intercambio Network. Since 2020, more than 160 organizations have participated in the Network’s growing number of opportunities to connect, share, and grow together. Membership is offered at two levels – Family and Friend – and both provide valuable access to professional development and peer support.

Family members, for example, receive the same comprehensive online teacher training that Intercambio volunteers use to prepare for teaching with our Confidence and Connections curriculum. These workshops not only provide practical tools but also a sense of belonging – more than 1,800 individuals have participated so far, and each cohort is invited into an online community where members can introduce themselves, ask questions, and find support.

“We have really benefited from our membership. It has helped us create more structure in our program and we have received positive feedback from both volunteers and students.”

Andrea De Jong, Permian Basin Adult Literacy Center in Midland, TX

Supporting Educators and Program Leaders Nationwide

In addition to teacher training, the Intercambio Network offers ongoing learning and connection throughout the year. Monthly virtual connection hours, teaching workshops, and an annual online summer conference bring educators together to share practices and stay energized. Last year’s conference welcomed over 270 participants from across the country.

For program administrators, we host structured Networking Calls three times a year. These themed calls create space for leaders to connect, ask questions, and collaborate on common challenges. Past conversations have explored topics like measuring program impact, weaving equity into decision-making, and introducing group classes into historically one-on-one models. Again and again, we see how valuable it is for practitioners to know they’re not alone – and to learn from each other in real time.

Connection as a Core Strategy

I’ve often mused that Intercambio is in the business of connection through mutual learning and relationship-building. We could choose to do that in many different ways; we just happen to do that through English acquisition. And as the Intercambio Network continues to grow in strength, it’s clearer than ever that connection is at the core of what we do there, too.

To learn more about the Intercambio Network and how your program can get involved, visit intercambio.org/network.

You can find Intercambio Uniting Communities among the exhibitors at the 2025 Literacy Texas Annual Conference.

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Elevating English Proficiency through Visual Literacy

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This is a guest post by Tara Benwell, VP of Publishing at Ellii.

You can find Ellii among the exhibitors at the 2025 Literacy Texas Annual Conference.

Visual literacy is an essential life skill that complements language learning. Emily Bryson, a graphic facility expert and guest blogger with Ellii, is a strong proponent of the power of visuals. Emily frequently reminds educators how much of the information we encounter each day comes from images, symbols, signs, and diagrams.

In English language classrooms, fostering visual literacy is key to helping students navigate and understand the world around them. Visual literacy helps learners to:

  • understand main ideas from pictures before reading
  • grasp complex processes through diagrams
  • use online platforms or apps by recognizing icons
  • stay safe by interpreting signs and symbols
  • analyze meaning, think critically, and discuss opinions
  • inspire curiosity and exploration
  • communicate creatively
  • share information effectively

Did you know that Ellii originally started as a library of images? Before it was known as ESL Library—and later, Ellii—teachers subscribed to ESL Images. While teaching English in Japan, Ellii’s founder, Ben Buckwold, relied on visuals to support his lessons. When he couldn’t find the simple, engaging imagery he needed, he created his own library. You can hear the full origin story of Ellii on this episode of The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast.

Today, Ellii is both an LMS and a content library full of ready-made lessons, courses, and visuals to keep language learners engaged, especially in those crucial emerging levels. Ellii’s Media Gallery offers a comprehensive collection of high-quality images and videos to help teachers elicit, teach, and reinforce vocabulary and grammar structures as well as spark engagement and interaction in the classroom. And the best part? The content was created specifically for ELLs.

Here are four types of visuals Ellii suggests experimenting with to elevate English proficiency:

1. Flashcards

Over the years, countless marketing experts have tried to convince Ben that the concept of a “flashcard” is outdated. However, Ellii’s founder strongly believes in classic teaching tools, including printable lessons and images, and our friends at Cambridge University Press and Assessment (CUPA) agree. At a recent TESOL session, Ventures author Gretchen Bitterlin recommended sending flashcard sets home in an envelope to help promote family literacy.

Today’s flashcards are not just printable images. Many platforms, including Ellii, offer digital vocabulary images with audio support and gamification features to go along with digital (or printable) lessons. At Ellii, flashcards are created specifically for English learners by real illustrators who understand the importance of simple, iconic imagery. Teachers can edit the text that goes with these 5,000+ images, making them a practical tool in bilingual programs or for leveling vocabulary up or down in a multilevel setting. Teachers can even get creative and make their own conversation question sets!

Flashcard Library on Ellii

2. Photo Prompts

Why do you think the popular Ventures series starts each unit with a scene called The Big Picture? CUPA author Donna Price often pulls out these detailed image scenes during teacher training sessions to reinforce the power of an image in eliciting language. Each Big Picture scene includes a critical incident, activating students’ prior knowledge and creating opportunities for thematic discussion.

Ellii does something similar with its That’s News to Me section using real photos or videos from The Associated Press. There is also a full section of Photo Prompts that can be used for a variety of activities from vocabulary building to critical thinking. As Emily Bryson points out on the Ellii blog, “Using just one image, students are prompted to describe the photo, make predictions, research the history… explore reasons” and more.

Photo Prompts on Ellii

Language Scenes are a tried-and-true method for eliciting vocabulary and assessing grammar knowledge, helping teachers identify new students’ levels and needs at intake. For the lowest-level learners, including adults preparing for CASAS STEPS, identifying vocabulary through visuals is something emerging learners need to practice in order to demonstrate proficiency.

3. Silent Clips & Video Lessons

“Sometimes the best way to get a conversation going is to stay silent,” says Emily. Silent Clips are a great way to introduce and review tricky words, including action verbs, emotions, and workplace vocabulary.

Silent Clips on Ellii

And if you want to keep your students truly engaged, video lessons are the number one recommendation, especially in those no-phone classroom zones where students are likely craving more screen time. Over the last few years, Ellii has built up its video library to include 600+ ESL videos, reinforcing everything from grammar targets and pronunciation to life and workplace skills.

4. AI-Generated Imagery

Does AI-generated imagery have a place in ELT? While Ellii is sticking with its human illustrators and photographers for now, there are countless activities that teachers and students can do to hone their prompt-engineering skills. From creating 3D dolls to spotting AI-generated errors, the language opportunities are endless. And, as Caitlin Thomas of National Geographic Learning pointed out at TESOL 2025, “AI fluency is the new digital literacy.” Have some fun! We are!

Ellii plays with AI-generated images

What Literacy Teachers Are Saying about Ellii

"Ellii is the one resource that I recommend to every new teacher. It has a wide range of materials for different student needs. Daily, I use flashcards for my newcomers and the academic resources with my higher levels. Ellii has innovated so much in the past few years and continues to improve the resources available."
Lynn
"Ellii offers great collections to use as an additional resource for younger English learners. The Word Bank lessons can be used to enhance vocabulary and language acquisition and begin the foundations for writing. My students have thoroughly enjoyed the Phonics Stories this year, and flashcards help to facilitate great discussions! A parent of one of my students has even started using Ellii to help with everyday tasks. "
Anon

More #Love4Ellii

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Help Families Achieve More with BurlingtonEnglish

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This is a guest post from BurlingtonEnglish.

You can visit them at the 2024 Literacy Texas Annual Conference.

In today’s fast-paced world, where information is abundant and constantly evolving, the ability to read, write, and comprehend is more crucial than ever. Yet, many adults face challenges in these fundamental skills, which can affect not only their personal growth but also the ability to support their families.

English proficiency is especially important for language learners and key to accessing better job opportunities, educational resources, and participating fully in the community. Family literacy plays a vital role in enhancing educational outcomes, as parents who improve their skills can better support their children’s education and development. As noted by the Harvard Graduate School of Education, family involvement in literacy significantly boosts children’s positive feelings about learning and their overall literacy performance.

Our Focus on Family Literacy

 Imagine this: a father confidently communicating with his child’s teacher, understanding report cards, and participating in school meetings, all thanks to his improved literacy skills. This scenario showcases the impact of Burlington Core, a standards-based, blended curriculum that equips individuals with essential skills to enhance their personal and professional lives.

 Our curriculum opens doors for adult learners by equipping them with the skills needed to find a job and succeed at work, assist their children with homework, and communicate effectively at school or the doctor’s office. This involvement doesn’t just boost academic and professional performance; it contributes to building family literacy.

Personal Challenges for Adult Learners

 Adult language learners often face barriers to learning such as financial constraints, lack of access to resources, and time limitations due to work. By increasing the availability of flexible learning options and offering personalized support and guidance, we can empower individuals to overcome these obstacles and achieve their educational and life goals.

Our Solution to Overcoming Challenges

 Burlington developed our standards-based, flexible curriculum using the best methods identified by linguists, educators, and software developers for overcoming the specific challenges of language learning. Our unique blended learning solution combines face-toface teacher-led instruction with anytime, anywhere access to online independent student lessons.

Success Stories

 Behind every family literacy and adult education program are inspiring success stories of individuals who have transformed their lives through learning. Take, for instance, Helen (Hoa), who came to the U.S. from Vietnam. She began her English studies at Simi Institute in 2010, determined to improve her language skills despite being deaf in one ear. Helen’s dedication drove her to set an alarm for 4:00 am daily to practice pronunciation using BurlingtonEnglish. Her improved communication skills boosted her confidence and enabled her to better support her children’s education.

In 2018, when Helen’s husband became seriously ill, she became the primary income provider. Despite these challenges, she continued her education and completed a Business English course. In October 2021, Helen achieved her dream of becoming a business owner by purchasing a salon in Westlake Village. Her success story illustrates the profound impact of adult education on family literacy and economic stability. Helen’s story is just one example of how BurlingtonEnglish can transform lives.

 Here are some more powerful testimonials from educators and students who have experienced the benefits of BurlingtonEnglish firsthand:

Sarita Akhtar, ESL Program Developer/Trainer at Indian River State College, shared: “Burlington has helped our students achieve their goals and make their career dreams come true. I have had students pass their State Board Exams for CNA/Home Health Aide and credited using the Burlington program. What an incredible tool we have provided them with. Thank you, Burlington!”

Karen Ling, Supervisor at Shared Time/Adult Education recounted another impactful story: “My student shared a powerful success story with the class. She explained that the Health unit in BurlingtonEnglish really helped her communicate with her child’s pediatrician. I know this seems simple, but I think we all know just how empowering this is for our students. Thank you, BurlingtonEnglish!”

These testimonials highlight the real-world impact BurlingtonEnglish has on individuals and their families, providing them with the skills and confidence to succeed in their personal and professional lives.

Conclusion

 Burlington’s approach to family literacy and adult education is not just about teaching basic skills; it is about empowering individuals to create a future where every adult has the chance to reach their full potential, every child grows up in a nurturing learning environment, and every family thrives.

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