COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN NEVADA: Working hard

Class helps new residents master English language

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By FRED COUZENS

VIEW STAFF WRITER

At age 69, both Bernabe and Gloria Bartulaba are living proof that with a little commitment and a lot of heart, learning is a never-ending, yet fulfilling experience.

The couple, who moved to Boulder City from the Philippines four months ago so they could be near their adult daughter Eleanor, has discovered their limited skills in understanding and speaking the English language need some polish.

So, what are a husband and wife from almost halfway around the world, recently transplanted to this comparatively tiny community where there are less than 40 people who speak the Island's official language of Tagalog, supposed to do?

They decided to enroll in Laura Smith's Adult Literacy class offered through the Community College of Southern Nevada.

"She wants to speak English and learn more," said Bernabe, who usually goes by the name of Bernie, a high school graduate, of his wife, who has only a third-grade education. "I want to read, and write and speak the English and learn the culture and tradition also."

And with that, Smith launched into her seventh semester-long class where she teaches more than just English.

It was only the Bartulabas sitting in the small classroom, all alone, unaware there were no other students there grasping and struggling like they were to understand each word uttered.

Using a flip chart of drawings and phrases to determine how much English a student understands and can respond to, Smith quickly moved on after a couple of minutes into Bernie's assessment -- "I'll skip over the rest of this," she said after going through half the chart -- and jumped right into how to read a newspaper and take advantage of its content, including the ads.

"See, you can buy ground beef cheaper at Food 4 Less because it costs only 99 cents per pound," Smith said in a slow and deliberate manner as she pointed out one of many bargains found in the weekly flyer. "So, see you can drive to Henderson and save on your groceries even though it will cost you a little more in gas. You do drive, don't you?"

One of the challenges encountered early on that first night was the pronunciation of words, even common, everyday words.

For instance, Bernie kept ending the word "cup" with an "ff" sound, instead of a "p" sound.

"Cuu-p," Smith repeated over and over in an exercise that took over five minutes. The exercise ended with mixed results. "No, not 'cuff,' 'cuu-p.' You keep saying 'cuff' and there's no ff-sound. Say 'cuu-p.'"

Bernie eventually managed to at least say "cupff."

The curriculum for the adult literacy class is prepared by the Nevada State Library Program, in conjunction with the Nevada Literacy Coalition, and includes 13 topics, including courtesy and rudeness; resumes and job applications; budgeting, which includes grocery savings, certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts; computer instructions, local assistance groups, and setting goals.

Born in Missouri, Smith grew up just outside Baker, east of Ely near the Utah border, yet the language barrier even there, in one of the remotest parts of Nevada, brought her into the world of literacy.

"They were having a local election for the (TV) board and I wondered how many people in the area could vote," said Smith. "I found out they were printing the ballots in English and Spanish, which was the first thing that drew me into this."

Her classes can vary in size -- last year she had eight and the year before Smith had her largest class ever at 19 enrollees -- and students are usually Hispanic.

"Last year, though, we had some Vietnamese who were our first Asians," she said. We've had students from Lebanon, Germany, Argentina, Mexico, Guatemala and Peru. Some are from Henderson and Las Vegas, but nearly everyone is from Boulder City."

Because of her efforts, one of her students this year became the first "Smith graduate" to become naturalized, which brought a smile to her face.

"It's really strange, but these people don't have their own place to go and meet up," she said. "That's what I've been able to come up with in giving this class."

Smith, in thinking she would have many more students than just the Bartulabas, enlisted the volunteer efforts of three facilitators -- Heather Garbino, Mary Kubiak and Mitch Brown.

"After listening to Laura and what she does, it sounded interesting," said Brown. "And, also, it's another volunteer service for me."

Smith touched on a number of subjects during the initial night of the 90-minute, weekly course, including pointing out on a globe where everybody was born and came from.

Bernie pointed to the Philippines -- he's from the northern island of Luzon and Gloria is from the central province of Leyte. They met for the first time more than 40 years ago through the efforts of a mutual friend. Smith indicated where Missouri is located.

After a challenging 70 minutes the first night, the rest of the time was spent in general conversation, which brought out a response from Bernie that Smith said is somewhat common.

"Excuse me, may I say something," Bernie said politely in broken, but understandable English. "The people, they talk too fast. That's why I'm here so I can learn the diction. That's my problem."

The Bartulabas' sincerity and eagerness impressed both Smith and Brown.

"I think they'll continue to come to class," Brown said. "They both seem to have the dream to want to learn and speak English."

Smith concurred, and said with confidence after one night's observation, "I think they're going to make it."

And with that said, the Bartulabas left Room 218 of the Community College with smiles, goodbye waves, thank yous, nods of appreciation and respect and what looked to be a long-term commitment toward their goal of achieving a better understanding of English.