Student Stories

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Student Stories

Our students come from all walks of life.

Adult Learner Stories

Over Read Write Now's extensive years of service, thousands of individuals have worked with volunteer tutors to achieve their personal and professional goals. These are just some examples:

Peter, who was approaching 60 years of age, was in fear of losing his job as his literacy problems prevented him from keeping up with workplace training. His tutor developed a learning program over a period of 2 years based initially on the forms, regulations and safety instructions in Peter's workplace. Peter was not only able to keep his job, he was given a promotion and no longer had to worry about his worst fear, “...to be left on the scrap heap".

Maria had lived in Western Australia for 30 years but never had the opportunity to learn to read and write in English. Breaking the mould of the traditional Italian grandmother, Maria now wanted more in life than cooking and fussing over her family. Maria wanted to learn to read and write to obtain her driver's licence, use a street directory and telephone book so she could do voluntary work in the community and later some part-time study. Working with her tutor on a learning program based on her needs, Maria was able to achieve her goals.

Brett, an apprentice plumber, was very competent on the job, but he struggled with reading and studying and his employer had given him the ultimatum to pass his TAFE exams. Brett sought the help of a Read Write Now tutor who developed a literacy program based on Brett's course materials.

Rebecca always thought she was stupid because she could not spell and was a very weak reader. Her family were almost all illiterate and she was determined not to let that happen with her own children. When her daughter started school Rebecca was too scared to write a sick note, fearing that teachers would laugh at her. Two years after she started working with a tutor she enrolled at College, which led to eventually doing her university entrance exams. She started at Curtin University and graduated with distinctions in most subjects. Rebecca now writes tenders for a building company - very successful tenders too! Her children are now adults working in well paid jobs and forever grateful that Rebecca asked for help all those years ago to improve not only her life, but theirs as well.

 

Repetition, Patience, Success: Bernie’s Journey with Severe Dyslexia

Bernie, 28, has made remarkable progress overcoming severe dyslexia
with the guidance of Fremantle Tutor Campbell. From struggling with letters and phonemes
to now reading books and writing his full name, address, and phone number,
Bernie’s story is one of perseverance, patience, and triumph.


full story

 

Cecil’s Story: Learning, Culture and Community Leadership

Lifelong reading and learning is the broad term for education that occurs after school as
Cecil’s story demonstrates. Cecil contacted the Read Write Now office six months ago.
He recently moved with his family from a small Indigenous community in the
Kimberley region to Perth. Working as an Aboriginal Engagement Liaison Officer at a Secondary School
he understands the importance of lifelong learning and self-improvement to ensure job security
and future growth opportunities for himself and his family. Cecil is passionate to serve as
a role model to the young people at his school and community who look up to him and
who he wants to inspire to follow through to reach their goals and to maintain
a positive cultural identity for wellbeing, belonging and connectedness.

full story

 

From Stroke to Storyteller: Ray’s Remarkable Journey

Ray Bekeris, a remarkable man who has worked hard on recovering his functional abilities
after experiencing a significant stroke. Ray contacted the Read Write Now program as part of
his quest to be able to read and write again, and not only to read and write, but, as it turned out,
to write books. He began with writing down what had happened to him on the way
home from work that fateful day. This is the way how Ray describes his way back to
living his life after the stroke. 

full story

 

 

Shorn’s Journey to Literacy and Independence

'When I arrived in Australia, I could not read and write and could only spell my name
and a few other letters. I joined Read Write Now 20 years ago.
Now I can read and write very well but spelling is still challenging for me
so I continued with Read Write Now. 

full story

 

 

Growing Past the Past: Vicki’s Learning Journey

Read Write Now student Vicki tells her story about her difficult experiences
at school, her frustration at not being able to learn like others did and how
by having the courage to make one phone call, she accomplished so much.

' I just couldn't understand how the other kids could just get it, how letters
and numbers all seemed so easy, why their books would look so tidy and neat.
I just didn't know why or how I was different. I remember being made an
example of and still hear the teacher's words: "See, this is what happens
when you don't pay attention."' 


full story

 

 

Maureen’s Thank-You Letter

Maureen was matched with tutor Jan, and when their time together came to an end, she wrote a heartfelt letter of thanks.


VIEW MAUREEN'S LETTER