Purpose
To help an adult learner develop and use reading and writing
skills to meet self-identified goals
Volunteer Qualifications
Have a mature demeanor
Have good reading and writing skills
Have a sense of humor
Be dependable and prompt
Be flexible, friendly, patient, and optimistic
Be able to maintain confidentiality about the student's life
and the work you are doing together
Commitment
Work one-to-one with an individual for a minimum of six
months
Meet twice weekly with the learner for about 1 to 1-1/2
hours each time in a neutral, public place, such as a library
(These meetings should be separated by at least one day.)
Attend all Tutor Talks (quarterly in-service training sessions)
for ongoing tutor training
Spend about an hour per week preparing for the meetings
Help an adult learner accomplish at least 2 short-term goals
per 3 months (or semester)
Responsibilities
Complete a 14-hour Tutor Training Workshop for initial
training
Attend all Tutor Talks (quarterly in-service training sessions)
for ongoing tutor training
Design lessons that include real-world materials and are
based on learners needs and interests
Encourage and support the adult learner
Keep records of the learner's progress
Document the progress of learners goals
Report information monthly to the Networker about the hours
spent (travel, preparation, and tutoring), accomplishments
made (or anecdotes which illustrate changes in the adult
learner), and materials used (books read; tape recorder;
flashcards; book and lesson numbers)
Notify our staff about any concerns
Meet with our staff quarterly to discuss goal setting and
celebrate goal attainment
Benefits
An altered perception of the world
A greater understanding and appreciation of different values
and lifestyles
More skill in creative problem-solving
An enhanced understanding of the problems of illiteracy
Specific methods and strategies for helping an adult make
sense of our print-oriented world
