The Languages and Learning Center (LLC) is excited to introduce the members of our Participant Advisory Board (PAB) to the Free Library community.

Our Participant Advisory Board launched in June 2021, inspired by a similar project at the Welcoming Center. The founding board members are a mix of learners and volunteers in the Languages and Learning Center’s adult education, English, and world language learning programs.

The group’s mission is to:

• Create more ways for program participants to contribute to and improve LLC programs.
• Increase community outreach and knowledge of LLC programs and resources.
• Contribute to the overall Free Library and City of Philadelphia planning process around adult education and language learning.
• Promote a democratic and inclusive planning and learning process for the center.

Our current board members are:

• Jan An
  • Jan An is originally from China. Since she moved to Philadelphia, she has been a dedicated participant in many of the Languages and Learning Center’s English language learning and adult education programs.
• Karen Cervera Noriega
  • Karen Cervera is originally from Mexico City. She first joined the Free Library as a student in 2018 and took several English and writing classes; then, she had the opportunity to volunteer and co-teach a Spanish class for English speakers, which was a great experience. Currently, she is taking Japanese classes, as well as serving on the Participant Advisory Board.
• Yu-Shan Chou
  • Yu-Shan Chou was born and raised in Taiwan. After moving to Philadelphia in 2018, she participated in several English classes in the Free Library of Philadelphia. She also taught Beginning Mandarin in the library for a year. As a language learner, she knows how challenging it is when people move here and she is glad to be part of the Participant Advisory Board.
• Patrick Coue
  • Patrick Coue is originally from France and has lived in Philadelphia for many years. In addition to serving on the LLC’s Participant Advisory Board, he has led an English Conversation Group centered on art and architecture in Philadelphia for the Free Library for several years.
• Vivian Greenburg
  • Vivian N. Greenberg M.D., M.P.H., FACOG (emeritus) was born in the United States. She is a retired physician, mother and grandmother, and both a teacher and student of languages.
• Guillermo Lopez
  • Guillermo Lopez is originally from Mexico. He has participated in several English language and adult basic education programs with the Languages and Learning Center.
• Chris Magee
  • Chris Magee was born and raised in Hawaii. In addition to serving on the Languages and Learning Center’s Participant Advisory Board, he facilitates a weekly online English Conversation Group. He also participates as a member of the LLC’s French and Japanese Conversation Groups.
• Marijana Njergeš
  • Marijana Njergeš is originally from Serbia. Since moving to Philadelphia, she has participated in several English programs with the Languages and Learning Center. Currently, she facilitates two Latin language learning groups and one Italian language learning group, in addition to serving on the Participant Advisory Board.
• David Richards
  • David Richards is a volunteer tutor with the Free Library. He moved to Philadelphia in 2015 following a career as a philosophy instructor and college administrator in New York State. He has been involved in various volunteer roles supporting refugees, immigrants, and adult learners.
• Haruka Yoshida
  • Haruka Yoshida was born in Japan. After moving to Philadelphia, she participated in several English groups with the Languages and Learning Center, and later she facilitated a beginning Japanese language learning group in addition to serving on the Participant Advisory Board.

Bringing learners and volunteers together to form our advisory board is important to the Languages and Learning Center as it allows us to be a true partner in learning and puts the learners we serve in leadership roles for our center. Interested in learning more about the Languages and Learning Center? Visit our website (www.freelibrary.org/llc) and email us at adultlearning @ freelibrary.org