Ann Jilg, Longtime ESL Teacher Retires After 10 Year Volunteer Stint at South Pasadena Library

Ann Jilg, the Library’s volunteer E.S.L. (English as a Second Language) Teacher retired on July 20 after a distinguished 10 year stint. Previously, Ann taught E.S.L. at the Arcadia Public Library for about 2 years. Ann was recognized by the South Pasadena Public Library Board of Trustees during the Library Volunteer Recognition Luncheon in April 2016 as a Co-Volunteer of the Year for the Library in 2015. During her decade volunteering for the Library, Ann taught hundreds of newcomers to the United States to speak conversational English. Ann taught native speakers of Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Spanish, and many other languages. Although she doesn’t speak these languages fluently, Ann succeeded so well because of her dedication and skills using practical Spoken English techniques. Ann is legally blind and gave up driving long ago. Fortunately for so many students, she lived right across the street from the Library and was able to easily come to the Library to teach the class. Ann is moving to Villa Gardens in Pasadena.

One of Ann’s students, Lynda Lim from China stated “I have been in Ann’s class for almost three years. I thank Ann for taking the time to teach us.” Another student, Roham Hadici who came with his Dad from Iran, declared “Ann’s class is good because when I first Arrived in the U.S. I couldn’t give a good answer to a question in English and I felt uncomfortable. With Ann’s help I have learned English and have made friends.”

Ann grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland and her very first job was shelving books at University Heights Public Library there. Out of college her first job was for the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington D.C. Ann then became a married mother in a military family and through the years has volunteered for the Torrance, Manhattan Beach, and Stanford University Libraries in their bookstores. Ann traveled to China, Italy, Mexico, Poland and Viet Nam to teach English as a volunteer with Global Volunteer, a non-government organization. Ann attended almost every South Pasadena Public Library film screening, concert, play, and Author Night and declares “I believe staying connected to the public library is the joy of my life.”

South Pasadena Public Library, 1100 Oxley Street, South Pasadena, (626) 403-7340 or visit www.southpasadena.ca.gov/library.