Volunteer Tutoring
Tutor Training Schedule
Tutor Reporting Form
Good Tutoring Links
Frequently Asked Questions About Volunteering To Be A Tutor
Who needs a tutor?
There are over 200,000 adults in this area that need help improving
their reading skills. In Alabama, 25% of adults
function at the lowest level of literacy. These individuals have problems
completing everyday tasks such as filling out a job application,
reading a prescription drug label, writing a check, reading a map,
or reading bedtime stories to children or grandchildren. Illiteracy
is also a contributing factor to many of our social problems including
unemployment, welfare, poverty, crime, and violence. Illiteracy
is intergenerational; the children of illiterate parents are twice
as likely as their peers to be illiterate. More than 40%
of children entering fourth grade are unable to read at grade level. Moreover,
the Latino population in the Birmingham has grown by over 400%
since 1990. Due to our efforts, calls to our helpline for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes have increased
by 500% over the past year!
What can I do to help?
If you can read, you can help break the cycle of illiteracy. Most
literacy programs require a high school diploma or GED. Tutors
should be open-minded and flexible, but according to most veteran
tutors, the most important trait is patience and more patience! It
is not necessary to speak another language if you want to tutor an
ESOL learner. The materials used are designed so that a tutor
can work with a learner who speaks any language. Many
programs in our area have waiting lists of learners. So, whether
you want to teach basic literacy or English literacy, there are students
waiting for tutors RIGHT NOW!
Can I really make a difference?
Absolutely! Volunteers are able to see the growing sense of
self-worth that learners gain as they experience improved communication
skills, increased involvement in their children’s education,
job advancement or eligibility, access to educational opportunities,
and a growing ability to participate in our community.
What about training?
The Literacy Council offers training workshops for volunteers interested
in becoming tutors. There are basic
literacy and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) workshops. Both are 12 hours
long and are administered in two 6-hour workshops or four 3-hour
workshops held on consecutive weekends or weekdays. The workshops
are free and all materials are provided.
What kind of time commitment is involved? Where
do I go to tutor?
Once you have completed the tutor training, you will be referred
to a program that is in need of tutors. Tutors are asked to
commit to one to three hours a week with their learner or program. You
will either work one-on-one with a learner, usually in a library
or church, or with a learner or small group in a classroom setting. You
may begin tutoring immediately or it may take some time to find a
match. There are learners and programs in need in most areas
of our community, but a willingness to travel a short distance may
increase your volunteer opportunities.
What can I do if I cannot volunteer my time?
Financial resources are badly needed to purchase books, hold
tutor training workshops and support literacy programs in Jefferson,
Shelby, Blount, St. Clair and Walker counties. Your gift is tax deductible. Click here to donate online.
