Unique Literacy Program Finishes First Session

Wednesday, March 7, was an exciting evening for 20 whose horses board at . It marked the completion of the first session of their English/Literacy class. This unique program, held at Golden Gate Fields, focuses on vocational English and offers students an opportunity to either begin to learn or increase their knowledge of English. 

According to instructor and Berkeley Rotarian George Luna, focusing the course on vocational English as a Second Language kept the interest and participation high.  By incorporating the students’ work environment into the lessons, they found learning vastly more interesting and learned quickly. 

The main objectives of the classes are to integrate the four fields of English learning in an atmosphere of “racetrack” related materials. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing are incorporated in varying degrees into every lesson plan, with the focus being of a vocational nature.

The Level One learner will be able to introduce themselves, ask for directions, and identify parts of the horse, names of various articles found in their everyday work, common horse ailments and remedies. They will learn elementary grammar and phonemic (the sound of words/letters) awareness, and other basic interpersonal communication skills. Many students will, for the first time, see words written that they have been speaking for years.

Many of the advanced students will further their communicative competence by improving their productive skills (speaking/writing), while at the same time working to improve their receptive skills (listening/reading).

The reasons for attending classes varied widely. Some students want to improve their communications with current employers, while others want to increase their opportunities for finding work away from the track. Some of the students demonstrated an interest in continuing further to a GED certificate. 

Eight organizations are now partnering with funds or in-kind donations on this new program. Funding is from , Berkeley Rotary and and student fees on a sliding scale.

In-kind donations are from Berkeley and El Sobrante Rotary Clubs in the form of experienced members George Luna and Hernan Del Valle, who are donating their time and expertise to meet and assess the population, and consult on program structure. 

Golden Gate Fields racetrack is providing classroom space. Chris Belluomini of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA) and Rob Cochran of the California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT) are volunteering their time and organizing efforts. Also, CTTA, the California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation, and Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) are supporting the project and encouraging workers to attend.

The next session of the English/Literacy class will begin at the end of March.  Classes meet for 1.5 hours twice a week for 13 weeks.  

Anyone wishing to help fund this program can make a donation to the Albany Community Foundation, 1164 Solano Ave. Box #133, Albany, CA, 94706.

ACF is a California nonprofit corporation (Tax ID# 33-1173216). All donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted under the law.