Push for English

MENTORS of struggling or reluctant English learners will expand their vocabulary at the Pakenham Library next month during a free literacy expo.
Best-selling author of the well-known Tomorrow When The War Began series John Marsden will feature as a keynote speaker at the Read, Learn, Thrive: The Literacy Expo which will be hosted by the Casey-Cardinia Library Corporation (CCLC).
The Literacy expo is free to attend and directed at parents, carer and professionals of children, aged between 0-7 years, who may be reluctant readers, from a bilingual background or battling learning difficulties. Workshops and activities will run throughout the entire day, starting at 11am and finishing up later in the evening with a talk from John Marsden.
The expo will also feature information stalls for service providers, displays, seminars, workshops, networking opportunities, handout material, certificates of attendance plus lucky door prizes, show bags and the chance to win two iPad Minis. CCLC Customer Services manager Pru Menzies said there was a need for parents to know where to turn to or what to do if they had a child with learning difficulties.
“We are experiencing an increasing demand from parents as to where to seek help when children have some learning difficulties or special needs, or they may be reluctant readers or from a dual language background,” she said.
“We are bringing together a number of service providers in an expo-style format.”
“Through a range of displays, workshops and guest speakers, our Literacy Expo will provide a one-stop-shop for parents, carers and professionals who want to help children, read, learn and thrive in the world of words.”
The expo will take place at the Pakenham Library on Thursday 5 June from 11am until 8.30pm.
Other guest appearances will be from Rocky the Reading Dog with Rose, Paint the Town REaD director and paediatric occupational therapist Barbie Bates and author, illustrator and Literacy Ambassador Jeanette Rowe.
To receive full program details, register at www.tinyurl.com/cclcevents