New Tutor Training

Our next New Tutor Training session is scheduled to begin January 23. Please spread the word to anyone that you think would make a good tutor. Interested prospects can contact Jim Chesson at james.chesson@cravenliteracy.org. 

A signup sheet is available in Suite F, across from Debby's office. We hope you will join us!

Thank you to volunteers and students alike for making 2023 a wonderful year at Craven Literacy Council. Whether you are teaching, studying, or keeping our offices running, the talents and dedication that you bring to our organization are a joy to behold. We on the staff who are privileged to spend our days here are repeatedly gratified by the energy you all breathe into this place, and we admire the commitment you all make to enhancing literacy in Craven County and the surrounding area. 

Holiday Schedule



Please note that our offices will be closed for the holidays from Monday, December 18 until Tuesday, January 2. We will reopen on Wednesday, January 3.

Tutors are welcomed to continue instruction during these times. Enjoy your holiday, and we will see you in the New Year!



Give the Gift of Literacy

As you plan your holiday gift giving, please consider contributing to Craven Literacy Council through our Gift of Literacy program. Your support ensures that CLC can sustain its mission of improving literacy skills to empower adults and families to improve lives. In appreciation of your generosity, your recipients will receive a beautiful holiday card celebrating your thoughtful gesture.

You can make your contribution by returning the card you received in the mail, or by visiting our website. To ensure holiday delivery, please make your contribution no later than December 15.

“New Bern Christmas” Holiday Cards and Prints for Sale



Craven Literacy Council is selling beautiful cards (blank inside) and 11x14 prints created from a painting by Hunter Stephenson. All proceeds will support Craven Literacy Council. The prints are available in our offices and at Mitchell Hardware (215 Craven Street). The cards are $20 for a pack of 10, and the signed prints are $20. These make great gifts for the holiday season and support the literacy efforts in our community.

Trent Park Family Night

On Tuesday, November 14^th, Lydia and Debbie set up a table at Trent Park Elementary School to greet students and their families. The event was the school's “Read Around the World Night”. Classrooms were designated as various countries around the world and every 15 minutes families were directed to move from one country to another. The CLC table was filled with information about CLC and some items that Lydia had collected from around the world! Several current and former CLC students attended with their children.

Tutor Tips

Pronunciation can be a challenging hurdle in learning a new language, difficult for the student to master and for the tutor to teach. In a recent ProLiteracy Webinar, Steven Reid of Literacy Volunteers Charlottesville/Albemarle in Charlottesville, VA presented “Pick Your Battles: Best Practices for Helping Students with Pronunciation.” You can access the presentation here. Tips from the webinar include the following:

· When deciding what to correct, focus on words that will impede communication. If you’re leading a pronunciation-specific lesson, you can offer more frequent corrections.

· If a student is speaking fluently, and you want them to build that skill, don’t correct. Instead, take notes about words to correct while they’re speaking. At a stopping point, go back and correct as needed. This also applies to read-aloud situations.

· Don’t correct if it’s a correction that would hurt their confidence.

·Slow down what you’re saying so you can focus on clear pronunciation and students can hear words correctly.

· Encourage students to self-advocate both during instruction and outside of class with phrases like, “Can you repeat that?”, “Can you slow down?”, “Can you speak louder?”. You can teach these phrases as part of your lesson.

From “Notebook: Resources for the Adult Educator”

ProLiteracy, Fall 2023

If you have found or developed any activities or strategies of your own to help your student with pronunciation, please pass them along! I would be happy to share them with other tutors who may be looking for ideas.

Mind Over Matter 11-2023

On Thursday, November 18^th, Lydia and Debbie represented CLC at a community event entitled “Mind Over Matter”. This event was sponsored by Abundant Life Community Services. The goal of the event was to provide students with an opportunity to discuss mental health issues and community resources. In addition to CLC, other local agencies present included: New Bern Police Dept., Abundant Life Community Services, D.A.R. E. Program, Centenary Church, New Bern Civic Theatre, Rivertowne Players Theatre, Youth Villages, Mediation Center of NC, Craven-Pamlico Library, and Coastal Coalition for Substance Abuse Awareness and Prevention. The evening included some special speakers, pizza, and Bingo with prizes. CLC provided a basket of books as a Bingo prize. The proud winner of our basket of books is pictured.  

Healthcare Books Available for Students



Thanks to a generous gift from the Carolina East Foundation, we are pleased to offer our students free books on a range of health-related topics, on display in the main hallway of the F Suite. These books cover a range of subjects including pregnancy, childhood illnesses, teen health, senior health, and dental care. They are available in several languages, including English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Burmese, Chinese, and Arabic. Please encourage your students to have a look at them, and to take home any that may be useful. Please note that not all titles are available in all languages. Ask one of us in the office if you need assistance.

Giving Tuesday

On Tuesday, November 28 members of the staff represented CLC at New Bern and Craven County's fourth annual Giving Tuesday. This event at Union Point Park brought together over fifty nonprofit organizations from throughout the city and county to publicize their efforts and to network with one another. We at CLC are pleased to be an active part of the vibrant network of local charitable organizations, and we thank all of you our tutors and volunteers for making this work possible.