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Skilled Immigrant Gets Customized Tutoring

In her home country of Brazil, Winnie took care of animals big and small as a veterinarian. But when she married an American and moved to the United States in 2015, she could barely string ten words of English together, let alone practice her profession. Oakland Literacy Council, however, gave Winnie a strong start on her new life.

Winnie now works as a vet tech.

Within a month of her arrival in Oakland County, Winnie was matched with a tutor, who realized Winnie could understand English far better than she could speak it. The tutor created a customized learning plan that focused on grammar and conversational skills. They met weekly at the local library, and the tutor gave her homework.

“My tutor gave me individual attention,” Winnie says. “She knew what I needed to work on most.”

Shy by nature, Winnie says her tutor “was patient and encouraged me in every step that I took.” With the tutor’s help, she became comfortable speaking with merchants, making appointments on the phone, and passing her driver’s license exam.

Eventually, Winnie obtained her “green card,” allowing her to live and work permanently in the United States. After graduating from Oakland Literacy Council’s one-on-one tutoring program, she took English-as-a-Second-Language classes at Oakland Community College. Then she began to work toward her dream of becoming a licensed veterinarian here in the United States.

The first step toward realizing the dream was a position caring for dogs at Leader Dogs for the Blind. From there, Winnie landed a job as a vet technician. Since then, she’s been studying hard for the national board exam─a four-hour written exam that all vet school grads must take─followed by a 3-day practical exam given only to foreign nationals during which they must demonstrate veterinary skills while narrating their steps in English. If she passes, she will receive her license to practice as a veterinarian.

“Everyone who knows me knows my passion for animals, which is why I had decided to go to vet school,” Winnie says. “Since I have moved to the USA, I haven’t been able to work as a licensed veterinarian. Getting my license will help me achieve my career goals and will allow me to do what I have always wanted to do.”

View More Faces of Literacy

For over 37 years, the Oakland Literacy Council (OLC) has enabled adult students to achieve individual literacy goals through a partnership with trained volunteer tutors. OLC serves native-English speaking adults who need basic reading, writing, and math skills (adult basic education — ABE), and foreign-born adults who need English reading, writing,  or conversation skills (English Language Learners — ESL).

The Oakland Literacy Council is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt entity that relies on the financial support of individuals, businesses, community organizations, and foundations to fulfill its mission. Your tax-deductible financial gift can be made online, by mail or by Donor-Advised Fund. The Oakland Literacy Council also welcomes gifts of Stock and Legacy Gifts.

In celebration of Oakland Literacy Council’s 35th anniversary, we’ve invited students, former students, tutors, donors, and other advocates to share their stories. Read all of their stories here.

OLCOakland Literacy Council
43700 Woodward Ave., Suite 20
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
(248) 253-1617
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