IBM Partners with OBT to Give English Language Learners a New Tool: Technology

On January 16, 2008, Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow (OBT), one of New York City’s leading employment and training organizations, showcased IBM’s Reading Companion at its Open House. Reading Companion was recently donated to support OBT’s English as a Second Language (ESOL) classes. The event was attended by over 50 people.

Reading Companion is a web-based program that allows students to read in English into a microphone. The innovative technology is programmed to correct pronunciation, based on the number of “points” that the student hits in a word. To support the new technology, IBM also donated 16 new computers, a projector, and headsets.

“In a typical classroom, students speak one at a time. Reading Companion literally allows the entire class to speak at once, giving the students more time to practice.” said Prathima Christdas, OBT’s ESOL Coordinator. “The students love it.” she added.

Reading Companion will be implemented in English as a Second Language (ESOL) classes at OBT’s Bushwick and Sunset Park locations and will serve over 260 English language learners per year, many of whom are beginners.

"Through Reading Companion we are assisting adults to improve their literacy skills," said Pamela Haas, manager for IBM Corporate Community Relations. "It is our goal to help improve the lives of New Yorkers. By working with Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow on these key IBM philanthropic initiatives, we hope to be making a difference in the community."

In Sunset Park, 45% of the residents are foreign-born immigrants, and in Bushwick the number is only slightly lower at 40%. According to US Census data, 27% of residents from both neighborhoods report being able to speak English not well or not at all.

“IBM’s Reading Companion marries learning English with learning technology,” said Randy Peers, Executive Director. “These are two of the most important skills that our students will need to know to be competitive in the New York workforce. Through innovation, IBM and OBT are building a better Brooklyn.”

Councilmember Sara Gonzalez, who recently helped OBT secure additional funding to expand its ESOL classes, said, “It is indeed gratifying to work with an organization as accomplished as Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow. Under the leadership of Randy Peers, the funding I have been able to put in place under my Adult Literacy Initiative and Immigrant Opportunities Initiative has produced innovative results that continue to be of immeasurable benefit to my constituents and others throughout Brooklyn.”