GETTING STARTED AND ONBOARDING
What is Leamos?
Leamos is set up in nine modules to help students build confidence as they learn syllables, from simple two-letter to three-letter words that build from previously learned syllables. The vowels are learned in Lesson 1. Lessons 2 to 30 teach consonants, syllables, pronouns, and basic sentence structures. (Note: With completion of lesson 30, students have learned the full Spanish alphabet, and experience has shown that they have gained basic reading and writing skills). Lessons 31-43 reinforce what was previously learned through practice with more complex sentences. While some words are commonly used in Central America, like “chavalo,” most words are common Spanish words and adult-focused on everyday use.
Since Spanish is a phonetic language, students learn to connect syllable sounds to read target words and simple sentences. Students build fluency from the repetitive activities. They gain comprehension from the built-in evaluations in each lesson and at the end of each module. Also, a final evaluation is included in both online and paper versions.
I want to enroll an adult learner in the Leamos course. What is the process?
First you will need to contact the Leamos administrator to find out if there is a program near you that offers Leamos. You can send an email to leamos@proliteracy.org or call (213) 262-8799. If no programs are available nearby and you are interested in purchasing an Individual subscription, the Leamos administrator will create an account for the adult learner.
Is there a cost to access the course, and what does it include?
The course is priced as subscriptions per individual use for organizations or single in-home use for individual learners.
The course includes 12-month access, a Leamos student workbook, a tutor guide, training videos, and call support.
When did ProLiteracy acquire Leamos?
ProLiteracy, the largest adult literacy and basic education membership organization in the nation, acquired Leamos in late 2017 in order to scale this effort and improve the quality of life for adults by increasing literacy rates.
COURSES / LESSONS / EVALUATIONS
How is the course structured?
Leamos is set up in nine modules to help students build confidence as they learn syllables, from simple two-letter to three-letter words that build from previously learned syllables. The vowels are learned in Lesson 1. Lessons 2 to 30 teach consonants, syllables, pronouns, and basic sentence structures. (Note: With completion of lesson 30, students have learned the full Spanish alphabet, and experience has shown that they have gained basic reading and writing skills). Lessons 31-43 reinforce what was previously learned through practice with more complex sentences. While some words are commonly used in Central America, like “chavalo,” most words are common Spanish words and adult-focused on everyday use.
Since Spanish is a phonetic language, students learn to connect syllable sounds to read target words and simple sentences. Students build fluency from the repetitive activities. They gain comprehension from the built-in evaluations in each lesson and at the end of each module. Also, a final evaluation is included in both online and paper versions.
Does Leamos meet any standards?
The Leamos curriculum meets the CASAS (Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System) key reading and listening standards. In 2007, a letter was issued by the California Department of Education approving Leamos as a pre-ESL course.
How do you know Leamos works?
Leamos has undergone formative and summative evaluations conducted by Associate Professor Concepción Valadez, Ph.D., UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies. Leamos has been used with many community-based organizations since 1991. The online version of Leamos was designed in 2004, and it was based on the same classroom curriculum used the previous 12 years. After moving the course online, there has been a broader reach to libraries and community colleges. There are many testimonials from adults who have completed the course and moved on to learn English, pass their citizenship test, and read to their children or read the Bible.
From 2015-2017, 18 public libraries conducted a pilot to: 1) teach basic Spanish literacy skills to non-literate Spanish-speaking patrons, and 2) test the effectiveness of the program as a tool to reach Spanish-speaking nonlibrary users—their input and experience is reflected in the Toolkit.
Do I need to be a certified teacher to help someone with the course?
No. Anyone who can read and speak Spanish at a high school level can guide someone with accessing and using the course. A detailed tutor’s guide is available to help the tutor with the process.
How long would it take to complete the course?
The average course completion is 100-150 hours, or 3-5 months, depending on student flexibility. The time of completion varies depending on the weekly hours a student dedicates to the course. It is recommended that students dedicate 4-8 hours per week.
Are all ages welcome?
Leamos is an appropriate course for youth and adults, ages 16 and over.
Is there a certificate of completion?
Yes, we have a free 3-week trial available for you and any learner interested in Leamos. To request your trial, please contact the Leamos administrator by sending an email to leamos@proliteracy.org.
If a subscription is purchased after the trial, the learner will be able to continue where he/she left off and the course materials will be available.