| Do
you want to be a tutor?
Literacy
Volunteers of the Lowcountry seeks volunteer tutors willing
to be trained to teach basic literacy (reading and writing,
BL) skills or English literacy (English for speakers of other
languages, EL) skills.
What
is Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry (LVL)?
Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry is a not-for-profit
organization which promotes increased literacy through
the teaching of reading, writing, computing and English
speaking skills to persons who are 18 years or older.
Who are LVL's students?
Our students are adults living or working in Beaufort
County who have a desire to realize their individual potential
through increased literacy. Some are native English speakers
that had to drop out of school and want to improve their
reading and writing skills so they can get better jobs
and help |
Small
Group Adult Education |
their families.
Others speak a language other than English and want to learn
English or improve their English-speaking ability.
What is LVL's approach?
LVL instruction is whole-language based and student-centered.
That is, lessons integrate listening, speaking, reading, and
writing skills and are set in the context of students' interests,
goals, and everyday survival needs. Basic literacy students
are matched with a tutor and work in a one-on-one learning environment.
English literacy students are assigned to small groups or classes
with students of similar language development. Small groups
range from 2 to 5 students. Classes, which may be as large as
28 students, are taught by volunteers with teaching experience
or paid professionals.
Do
I need to have teaching experience or speak another language
to be a tutor?
No. All volunteers will be trained by LVL and will work with
a site coordinator who will assess students' skills and recommend
materials. The only educational requirement is that a volunteer
tutor has the minimum of a high school diploma. Although knowledge
of another language can be helpful, all our EL students are
taught in English. EL groups often consist of people with
a variety of language backgrounds.
What kind of support will I receive as a tutor?
All volunteers will receive 15-18 hours of training. In addition,
they will be assigned to a site and a site coordinator who
will provide them with information about their student and
will recommend materials for study. Periodically, informal
"tutor talk" gatherings will be held, during which
tutors share ideas and receive coaching on problems they may
encounter. LVL personnel - usually the site coordinator -
are always available for consultation.
Low
Country Presbyterian Family Program |
What
is the expected time commitment?
Ideally, tutors meet with their student(s) twice a week
for a minimum of one hour. EL groups typically meet
for one and one-half or two hours a session. In addition
to time spent tutoring, volunteers spend an average
of one-half hour to one hour per session in preparation
time. Tutors meet students at an LVL Learning Center,
a school, or other public place at a time that is mutually
convenient. One-on-one and small group tutoring typically
occur during the day; classes are held in the evening.
What else is expected of tutors?
Although tutors are supported by site coordinators,
they design their lesson plans to meet their students'
needs.
|
A variety
of materials and a continuum of skills are available to aid
planning. In addition to preparing lessons and meeting with
students, tutors submit monthly attendance reports and periodically
evaluate students' progress. Volunteers are asked to attend
tutor talk sessions and to make a commitment of at least one
year. Persons who travel extensively or who will be out of town
for extended periods of time are advised to postpone tutoring
until their schedules are freer or to volunteer in another capacity
(e.g. fundraising, office support, or a short-term assignment)
that doesn't require regular attendance.
What traits characterize a successful tutor?
Persons who are successful tutors, above all, have a desire
to help others. They are patient, tolerant, flexible, and resourceful.
Adult students have many demands on them outside of their lessons
that can pose conflicts at times. Although we tell students
they are responsible for notifying their tutors of unavoidable
absences, some do not. There have been times when tutors have
been disappointed because a student did not appear as scheduled.
A successful tutor needs to manage the tutor-student relationship
and encourage student responsibility.
Are there some people who are not suited to tutoring?
We have occasionally had tutors who have discovered tutoring
is not for them. Some have found that it takes a commitment
they did not appreciate; others, that they lacked the flexibility
or creativity required to respond to student needs or develop
lessons.
What are the benefits of tutoring?
Although some students disappoint us, there are more advantages
to tutoring than drawbacks. For one, relationships are forged
with interesting people whom tutors would not have otherwise
known. Tutors learn about other cultures and share in the excitement
a student feels when he or she achieves a goal - whether it's
talking to a landlord on the telephone, reading from the Bible
at church, or passing the G.E.D. Adults, for the most part,
are very appreciative of the help they receive and have great
respect for their "teachers". Many long-term tutor-student
relationships exist, and student "graduates" and their
tutors remain long-time friends.
I'm interested! What do I do next?
- Complete
and return a volunteer intake form. Click
here to e-mail us requesting an intake form
and other volunteer information to be sent to you.
- Attend
a volunteer orientation. We will notify you of the next
regularly scheduled orientation.
- Attend
and successfully complete the next 18-hour training session.
(There is a $30.00 charge for training and materials.)
We hope
you will decide to become one of our volunteer tutors and
look forward to seeing you at our next orientation.
|
