Do you remember the joy of learning to read--of realizing that letters on a page could tell stories, take you to anywhere in time and space, could let you find adventure, even on a rainy afternoon? Remember how proud you were to read a book to a friend or relative?

Millions of children and adults in the United States have never experienced the joys of literacy. They have somehow slipped through the educational "cracks," and believing reading and writing are beyond their grasp, have resigned themselves to the daily frustrations encountered by non-readers.

Perhaps you are a teacher seeking ways to help troubled readers in your class or a parent or grandparent desiring to intervene before poor reading becomes a habit. Possibly you want to volunteer in your community and need some preliminary training in how to identify literacy needs and build on student strengths. If you have the desire to help others become better readers and writers, Diagnosing Language Difficulties (X400/L504) and Tools for Literacy Connections (TLC) can meet your needs. Both courses, at differing levels, will teach you how to recognize and build on student strengths and design effective strategies to bring about positive learning experiences.