The Weyburn Public Library and Southeast Newcomer Services have changed the name of the 'Conversation Circles', held at WPL one or two Fridays eachc month, to facilitate an opportunity for newcomers to Canada to practice English-speaking skills.
But it's so much more than that.
Branch Manager Deborah Schrempel said that's exactly why they changed the name.
"Recently we found the numbers were dwindling a little bit, and one of our concerns was perhaps because it was called English conversation circle, maybe they thought they were just coming to sit around," she explained.
The group is now called 'LEAF': Learning English Activities for Families.
"Our numbers are starting to increase now. Just last week we did a Styrofoam Easter egg thing that I helped teach and participate in, and it was really good to see the numbers increase. We've got a gardening one coming up as well, where the families will come in and we'll work with the parents and the children and we'll show them how to plant the garden seed. They can watch it grow in a clear plastic cup afterwards and then plant it outside in a pail or in their yard, if they have room."
She said later this month the Children's Programmer hopes to take the group to a local farm to learn about the aspects of farming that take place in spring.
"So that's some pretty exciting things coming up, working with that LEAF group, and we're happy to have the newcomers coming to the library," she added. "When we see the children come in, a good deal of them do know English, but I think the program helps them to listen and comprehend instruction better, which I think only serves their education here as well. So that's really nice to see too."
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