BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Broward County Library is offering a new, free online literacy services initiative, English for Families. The free program series meets twice a week for five weeks, from 4:30 to 5:30PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 1-31, 2022. The series increases language fluency and promotes bonding over books for families learning English. 

English for Families cultivates English vocabulary and literacy skills through reading and sharing stories. The program provides essential reading strategies for children ages 6 to 12 to achieve success in the classroom while simultaneously developing the adults' basic language skills and confidence. Participants also learn about library services such as Rosetta Stone, English Cafe and citizenship classes and other library resources. 

Each English for Families session will have a bilingual instructor that speaks either English/Spanish, English/Haitian-Creole or English/Portuguese. The first class of the week  on Tuesdays is a strategic reading session; vocabulary instruction is scheduled for Thursdays. Homework will be assigned for family practice. After the last English for Families session, families will receive a participation reward pack containing an Oxford Picture Dictionary and other books. Each session includes a raffle of a family-based game. 

Online registration for English for Families is required. For additional information, contact Gloria Sickelsmith at gsickelsmith@broward.org or 954-357-7317.

This program is generously sponsored by the Broward Public Library Foundation and Community Care Plan. English for Families is a partnership program of Florida Humanities and the Orange County Library System (OCLS). The program was developed with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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