Joanne Telser-Frere: Literacy Chicago

I taught English as a Second Language for years, but that had never been the plan. In fact, I had no interest in teaching. As a kid, I never quite fit in. I dreamed of travel, adventure, and living an unconventional life. I imagined a life in France, speaking French, marrying a Frenchman, and perhaps becoming a famous actress. I never thought about how I’d earn a living.

Surprisingly, life aligned with those earlier dreams. I went to France, married a Frenchman, and became French. I have acted in plays in both English and French and have since become a storyteller here in Chicago.

My teaching career began out of necessity. Living in Orleans, France, I saw an ad for an English teacher. Despite having no experience or training, I was hired because of my B.A.S. from the University of Illinois. My “training” was watching one class. Thrown into the deep end, I fumbled through my first lesson, then turned to grammar books and self-study. I found I had a knack for teaching, especially for helping people communicate in a new language. Having felt like a foreigner myself, I could empathize.

I believe that never having had formal instruction in teaching is why I could be very creative. I probably broke “all the rules” and just followed those of my heart. I discovered that I enjoyed finding new ways to explain things and that the most important part of keeping students interested and engaged was to have fun!

France became my home base as I taught in Pakistan, Egypt, Qatar, and later in Chicago. Everywhere I lived, I found community through amateur theater and performed in both French and English. I always encourage my students to take risks and try new things–and I lead by example. In Qatar, I worked in journalism, producing bilingual radio programs, writing for local publications, and even producing TV shows. Back in the States, I created and taught cognitive enrichment courses–’Brain training’--for older adults.

I also joined Toastmasters International, refining my leadership and presentation skills–tools that now serve me in my current role at Literacy Chicago, as well as my storytelling!

As Director of Program Development, I now apply everything I’ve learned to help adults, especially those with low literacy, to improve their educational skills. Still a teacher at heart, I train our volunteers on how to tutor adult literacy and ESL students effectively.

In 2024, I published 33 Ways Not to Screw Up Teaching Adults to Read, a guidebook for educators working with low-literate adults. I happily donate copies to the volunteers we train at Literacy Chicago. After a life full of unexpected turns, I’ve finally found where I belong–a place where I can develop new ways to help people and assist them in their paths towards literacy.