We now have many more ways to approach reading and writing in our program. One student who loves 50's music read from a rock 'n roll song book, others told their stories and had them written by tutors as reading texts. Some have written their thoughts on fiction or movies, others have shared their artwork and spoken or written about their feelings on making or viewing the art. An ESL learner who spoke almost no English went for walks with her tutor, and learned new vocabulary, shapes, and colours in a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. The words were written for her at the end of the walk, so she took her first steps in reading English as well.

Brain Gym exercises have also been introduced to some learners, and my intention is to teach them in tutor in-service as well. Brain Gym movements help with handwriting, and the office now has a whiteboard where students can write large and erase quickly; we also use it for spelling practice. Students have always had choices about how and what they would learn. Now there are more choices because I've become aware of more possibilities through the VALTA Project.

Intake procedures in our office used to consist mainly of finding the student's academic needs and reading, writing, spelling or math ability. We also had conversations about their school experience and other learning history, such as job skills or hobbies. Now we take it much further and it's been paying off. We talk about what it's like to learn in an area where you're unsure of your abilities: it's a risk, you take a chance. I try to ensure that both students and tutors are comfortable with the fact that learning is sometimes difficult, tedious and frustrating. I encourage them to be honest about what they're feeling at those moments, to have fun and enjoy the process. Students and tutors learn about the need for self-care, relaxation and sleep, and the value of exercise not just to stay healthy and happy but as an aid to learning.

There's more opportunity for student self-direction, and new learning materials have been provided with a greater variety of reading content. Easy-reading subjects include sports, celebrities, outdoor life, success stories, and fiction. We also know that some students simply aren't ready to make choices when they first enter the program, so I suggest they choose from two or three possibilities at their reading level. I think we have a better program than before my research project, and I know that I'm even more comfortable and confident in my role as coordinator.