Services Overview
The Learning Exchange offers books and materials, discussions and workshops, family activities and one-on-one programs to help improve reading, writing, numeracy and life skills.

You might be a student, or you might be an adult who just wants to brush up on basic things like using a computer, understanding bills, writing a letter or reading a map. You might be someone who wants to help others learn. In that case, we can help you learn how to help.

Find out more about what we can do for you.

Book Club
If you've ever read a book that was so good you just wanted to tell someone about it, our Book Club is for you! Run by volunteers, Book Club members come together monthly over coffee and refreshments for an enlightening discussion to share their ideas, thoughts, and opinions about selected titles. It's a great way to get to know more books and make new friends.

Book Sales
Fill your home library with some of the best buys in reading! A monthly book sale fundraiser takes place at the CDC Laurier Adult Education Centre near the cafeteria. Hardcover books sell for $1.00, soft cover books for $0.50, and new books start at $2.00.

Donations of books or money are welcome throughout the year.

Committees
Committees are an integral part of TLE and are a great way to get involved! We have two types of committees: Standing and Ad Hoc.

Our Standing Committees oversee specific areas of Board business and are made up of Board members and/or invited experts. We have four Standing Committees:

• Executive Committee
• Finance Committee
• Nominations Committee
• Personnel Committee

Our Ad Hoc Committees are created when we have a specific need to fulfill. We can have many fun and interesting Ad Hoc Committees in any given year, for members to join. For example:

• Family Literacy Committee
• Public Relations Team
• Library Volunteers Committee
• Social/Planning Committee
• Strategic Planning Committee
• Policy & Procedure Committee

Computer Access
Need access to a computer? TLE's Resource Centre features a computer corner, equipped with computers, Internet access, color printers and a scanner. TLE members can sign up to use the computers or drop in during regular hours. For tutors or students who need instruction on computer use, we also offer computer tutorials.

Events
Throughout the year we organise special events to attract new members and pay tribute to individuals who have reached their goals. The hard work and accomplishments of volunteers and students are recognised at gatherings where members have the opportunity to meet other students, volunteers and tutors. The Learning Exchange also encourages the participation in and awareness of literacy events throughout the year. Retention of volunteers and students from past years is high as well as attendance at events and outings.

Family Literacy
TLE works to strengthen literacy practices with children and their families, and helps increase intervention skills for parents. Our family literacy program is aimed at the whole family and includes organized activities at our Centre, as well as visits to elementary schools and participation in community family events. We help parents to foster literacy in young children to prepare children for success in school and life experiences. These activities usually take place at key points in the year, from September to June, such as International Literacy Day, Reading Week, and Family Literacy Day. Providing the services parents and children need builds a culture of "family literacy" inside the home and out.

News & Views
News & Views is TLE's newsletter, published five times a year, featuring a calendar of events and activities, information and updates, news from Board and staff members, puzzles, students' writing, committee updates, provincial and national news, and so much more! Find it on-line or come to the Centre and pick up a copy of your own.

On-line library
Browse through the wonderful selection of fun and educational learning resources and materials available at The Learning Exchange Centre from your home, office, community center or school.

Our on-line library features stacks of materials you might be looking for, including a huge assortment of fiction and non-fiction high-interest, low-level reading and audio books for adult learners. We have great educational games to choose from, assorted reference and resource books/materials as well as family literacy collections & kits to use with children at home or in class. Contact us to learn how you can become a member of our borrowing library.

Projects
In our continuing effort to increase and improve services offered to our members, The Learning Exchange submits new project proposals and maintains partnerships with other literary organisations throughout the year.

Recent projects include:

• Development of a new web site
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT)development
• Strategic and communication planning
• Tutor training development
• Family literacy training
• Tutor and student projects: Recruitment, retention and outreach strategies
• Learning disabilities: Training programs
• Numeracy: Training and development

Resource Centre
The Learning Exchange's Resource and Learning Centre is a cozy, welcoming place for adult literacy students, tutors, and volunteers to work! Our Centre is lined with books and learning materials, including computers and audio-visual equipment and resources. The centre is accessible throughout the school year during CDC Laurier's Adult Education regular school hours September through August.

Student Chat
Students, spread the word! Student Chat is a special event organized several times during the school year for students to have the opportunity to come together with fellow students from TLE and/or other literacy organizations to swap stories and discuss ideas.

Student Services
TLE students are entitled to a minimum of one, 3-hour tutorial each week. Free workbooks, reading books and resource materials are given to all students. We'll create an individualized plan and program for each student following an intake assessment. Follow ups are made on an ongoing basis with students and/or their tutors as needed. Other services include:

• Free workshops
• Use of TLE's Resource Centre and its materials
• Local library access (library membership cards are arranged by TLE for students)
• Access to computer and Internet access: may include individualized computer instruction
• TLE events organized for students

Tutorials
It's our trained tutors who work one-on-one or in small groups with adult literacy students at The Learning Exchange Centre. All potential volunteer tutors are interviewed and screened. Potential students are also interviewed, and reading and writing levels are assessed.

Following the completion of Basic Tutor training, volunteers are then matched with one or more adult literacy students. TLE offers ongoing academic and emotional support to both tutors and students in terms of compatibility and general progress, as well as in materials, training, computer use, and general resources.

Tutorials and training experience allows tutors to help students in the following ways:

• Improve levels of functional literacy
• Boost levels of confidence and self esteem
• Encourage independence
• Improve job opportunities through skills development
• Upgrade the ability to use current technology (Automated Bank Machines (ATMs), the Internet, etc.)
• Increase the chance for involvement within the community
• Make it easier to help their children with homework and/or coping with their child's literacy/school needs

Tutor Talk/Volunteer Voice
At TLE support for our volunteers comes in many forms. Tutor Talk/Volunteer Voice was developed to bring TLE's volunteers together in an informal setting to meet and discuss tutoring and volunteering issues. Under the guidance of an experienced tutor, volunteers have the opportunity to exchange ideas and share their experiences.

Tutor Training
TLE offers a five-session, 15-hour Basic Tutor Training programme for all new tutors. When needed, an additional "matching" workshop may take place. Tutors receive TLE Tutor Training certificates upon completion of all sessions. Trained tutors are then matched with an adult student. Providing space is available, training courses may be open to other members of the community.

TLE's Basic Tutor Training features:

• Orientation to TLE and literacy
• Reading, writing and word study strategies
• Listening and speaking strategies
• Learning styles
• Information & Communication Technologies (ICTs)
• Materials & goal setting
• Lesson planning
• Using the computer and Internet
• Getting started with a student: Match outlines
• Using Learning Links

Website
TLE is proud to feature a newly designed and developed website by web master Errol Pinto and Executive Director Darlene Brown on TLE's new domain: www.tleliteracy.com

TLE's website features include:

• News & Views
• TLE's Services Learning Links
• TLE's On-line Library
• Photo Gallery
• TLE's Events Calendar
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• TLE forms and documents
• Resources
• About Us
• Contact Us

Workshops
Additional workshops and training sessions are offered year round to tutors, volunteers, students, and parents based on the expressed needs of the members. Past workshops and discussions have included:

• Power Point Basics
• Using Learning Links
• Internet: Getting to Know the Basics
• Library and Resources
• TV and Literacy
• Board Development: By-Laws/Policy and Procedures
• Preventing Burnout
• Learning Styles
• Overcoming Adversity
• Numeracy