Other Programs
Work and Study Program
The Oaxaca Learning Center provides financial support, in the
form of a work/study program, to needy and deserving students
who have participated in Learning Center programs in a consistent
manner.
Selected high school students receive a stipend for spending
15 hours weekly at the Center in supervised study. This is a
way for promising, but poorly prepared, students to devote more
time to their studies instead of having to work long hours to
support themselves. In addition, they have the opportunity to
broaden their academic skills, read books and give book reports,
make presentations, and learn to work and solve problems in
a group setting.
In addition, the Center’s tutors, along with Gary Titus,
the Learning Center’s founder, provide career counseling
support for students on an informal, as-needed basis, along
with help in developing the study skills necessary to perform
successfully at the high school and university level.
Oaxaca Learning Center Women’s Group
The Women’s Support Group at the Learning
Center was launched in early August 2008. About half of the
Center’s students are young women, mainly between the
ages of 12 and 18, although there are also a few older women
enrolled in the program.
Women in Mexican society have traditionally been relegated to
a secondary role, with fulfillment to be achieved in marriage.
The advent of birth control, the growing presence of women in
the workplace and a variety of global cultural influences have
profoundly affected this model. In Oaxaca, the current generation
of young women may be experiencing the most rapid change historically
in this process.
An initial questionnaire was distributed to the 25 Center students
to determine what the young women wished most to learn about
and discuss. All of those responding acknowledged the need for
such a mutual support group and confirmed their interest in
participating. The issues, in rank order, which most concerned
them were:
Sexual issues and information;
Women’s rights;
Violence and self-image;
School and work;
Interpersonal relationships.
Computer Access and Training
The downtown Center has six computers with Internet access available
to students; there are five computers at the Las Lomas satellite
center. In addition three laptops are on loan to advanced students
(and more donated laptops are always appreciated!).
Learning to use the computer, including the skill of touch
typing, is vital to the success of the Center’s students.
They also learn how to explore the Internet and use search engines
to help in research and writing papers. Free access to computers
in Oaxaca is practically nonexistent, as is instruction in their
use. For the Center’s students this program is the door
to a wider world.
English Curriculum at the Learning Center
The Oaxaca Learning Center, has always offered English tutoring
on an informal basis. In 2008, a volunteer with 25 years experience
teaching English as a second language, and on sabbatical, took
on the mission of designing and formalizing the English curriculum.
Volunteer native speakers provide free English-language classes
at both Learning Center locations for all interested students.
Whether you are in Oaxaca short- or long-term, the Center can
always put you to work! There is a need for tutors in English
and/or an intercambio - you can practice your Spanish, while
our students practice their English. For long-term stays, we
can often put together a small class for English instruction.
