The Literacy Council has two programs in which volunteers teach adults one-on-one. These are the ESOL Tutoring Program and the Basic Tutoring Program. These programs provide wonderful volunteer opportunities for people who want to teach students individually rather than in a group situation. Each tutor is matched with one student to whom the tutor provides individualized instruction, aimed at helping the student achieve his or her own learning goals. Each pair of tutors and students meets once or twice a week for approximately an hour and a half each session. Volunteers in the tutoring programs have considerable flexibility, since each tutor/student pair sets its own schedule and meets at any public place, such as a library or community center, that is convenient to both members.
Tutors do not need to know a foreign language or to have any prior experience in education. They need only a desire to assist an adult to read, write, or speak English. The Council provides its tutors with all the initial training they need through a mandatory training workshop which extends over three consecutive Saturdays. Workshop participants pay a $35 fee, which partially covers the cost of the books they receive to use with their students. Upon completion of their training, volunteers receive certification from the Literacy Council. Continued support is provided through regularly scheduled in-services, a quarterly newsletter, and individual assistance by LCNV staff and long-term volunteers. The Literacy Council also maintains a resource library which includes a wide range of supplemental materials.
We request our tutors to work with their students for at least nine months. Many tutors, however, stay with the program much longer and develop long-term relationships with their students. These relationships are extremely rewarding to the tutors as well as to their students. Improvements in student self-confidence are often apparent from the start, and our tutors experience great satisfaction from helping their students achieve their goals and improve their lives.
Use the links on the right to learn more about each tutoring program and the differences between them and to view the schedules for upcoming tutor-training and in-service workshops.
