About
BilingualFamilyReading.com
The Company
BilingualFamilyReading.com has been a labor of love for a small group of people in far West Texas. Realizing the challenge faced by many parents who want to read to their children, but who often lack the knowledge or the resources to achieve their desires, Alma Ramsey quit her job to start BilingualFamilyReading.com. Driven by a sense of purpose and a strong commitment to our cause, Lettie Ramírez joined BilingualFamilyReading.com in 1996. BilingualFamilyReading.com has enjoyed the help of many people throughout its birth and development, but none more so than Ellen Ramsey, Ellen Brooks, Sylvia & Julian Encina, Homero and Ana Silva, and Dinah López.
We don’t speak English only. BilingualFamilyReading.com's mission is to provide programs and materials which empower schools and parents to support the educational growth of all children with a special emphasis on second language acquisition. We believe that every child should be afforded the opportunity to be exposed to a second language and in a broader sense, a bigger picture of the world.
Using the talents of people within a 300 mile radius of El Paso, TX, we have written and illustrated stories, recorded songs for each story, created activity books and story extensions with the intent that each book, or song, or activity would create an opportunity for parent/child interaction. We are a small, but energetic group who believes that regardless of their level of literacy, every parent can develop an appreciation of reading aloud to their children. We think you will be excited about what we have done.
The Research
BilingualFamilyReading.com’s program is based primarily on the research of Jim Trelease and the Commission on Reading. In 1985, the U.S. Department of Education's Commission on Reading issued its report, Becoming a Nation of Readers. Among its primary findings, one simple declaration rang loud and clear:
"The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children."
We read to children for all the same reasons we talk with children – to reassure, to entertain, to bond, to inform or explain, to arouse curiosity, to inspire. But in reading aloud you also:
Condition the child's brain to associate reading with pleasure
Create background knowledge
Build vocabulary
Provide a reading role model
Reading aloud provides a foundation for independent reading by nurturing the child's listening. Listening comprehension comes before reading comprehension. The listening vocabulary is the reservoir of words that feeds the speaking vocabulary, the reading vocabulary and the writing vocabulary—all at the same time. Research shows that it is not until eighth grade that a student's READING level catches up to his or her LISTENING level. Until that time, most students are capable of hearing, understanding, and enjoying material that is more complicated than what they could read by themselves. All of our materials are specifically designed to create a catalyst for this kind of parent/child interaction!
The People
Alma Ramsey has been involved in education for over 20 years. From classroom teacher to educational consulting her years of experience with the parent school connection led her to found LET, inc. In 2010 LET, inc. became BilingualFamilyReading.com. With a mission to provide programs and materials to support the parent/child connection both LET, inc. and BilingualFamilyReading.com have found a special niche working with families; many of which first language is Spanish.
If she has ever been to your school or done a presentation before you, then you will agree that Lettie Ramirez is the person that everyone remembers. Her knowledge and commitment to helping schools implement successful parental involvement programs is well know. Lettie is a leader in helping schools throughout the U.S. bridge the gap between the classroom and the community.
Ellen reviews all submissions and ongoing development work. "In Spanish, if the accent is in the wrong place the whole word is wrong." That is just one example of the standards our "Grammar Examiner" sets for all BilingualFamilyReading.com products. If you want to know if the work is correct in English OR in Spanish, Ellen is the person to ask.
No one exemplifies our "customers first" mandate more than Susi Pratz. Her cheerful, can-do attitude ensures that orders are processed and out the door as quickly as possible.
BilingualFamilyReading.com regularly offers employment to high school and college students. Our interns are excited about the progressive work BilingualFamilyReading.com performs and enjoy working in a goal oriented environment.